The actor is reprising his famous role from The Karate Kid and opening up on the franchise's growth and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Ricky CornishEditor's note: this article features minor spoilers from the fifth season of Netflix's Cobra Kai.
Sean Kanan is no kid anymore.
After starring as the villainous Mike Barnes in The Karate Kid Part III, the actor reprised the role 33 years later in the newly-released fifth season of Netflix's popular dramedy series Cobra Kai.
"I am truly humbled. I never would have anticipated that would be a role I would reprise," Kanan tells Out. "To have a role that I did that long ago that still has relevance, it has a place in the fan's hearts, is incredible. Cobra Kai season five is sick. This might be the best season yet."
Although many years have passed since Mike Barnes popped up on screen, Kanan assures that the show fills in the gaps as to what his character has been up to.
"Mike Barnes is in fact a legitimate businessman. He's successful. He's turned his life around after being blackballed from tournament karate, which was all he knew," Kanan says. "Then, we see old Mike come out. I got to really play the best of both worlds. I got to bring a lot of different aspects to it. It was great to put my martial arts to use, which was a lot of fun at 55 years old. I had a blast."
With Barnes showing his good and bad sides in the new season, Kanan expressed his excitement that his character is still a work in progress.
"It's interesting to watch all of these characters now 35 years down the road as more fully evolved human beings. But sometimes when you're fully evolved, it doesn't mean that you've always figured everything out."
Cobra Kai has received praise for blending interests for older and younger generations, with the show including an LGBTQ+ storyline in its second season.
"I think it's great. It's reflective of our society, as it should be. [The younger] generation has grown up in a very different way than even mine has with regard to how it deals with all the myriad of other types of relationships and sexualities that there are."
Speaking of dynamic characters, Kanan is still holding a secure spot as another notable villain on The Bold and the Beautiful as Deacon Sharpe. The star even teased Sharpe's potential blossoming relationship with another well-known villain, Sheila.
"The Bold and the Beautiful has been really exciting for me. I've played the role of Deacon Sharpe off and on since 2001. Sheila has made it very clear that she has no intention of leaving Deacon's apartment. These two start to develop some real feelings for each other."
Plus, Kanan has some chaotic ideas for Deacon's future with Sheila. To hear more, check out the interview below.
Cobra Kai is streaming on Netflix and The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS.
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0Sean Kanan Reveals BTS Moments As Mike Barnes in Cobra Kai Season 5
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