'Cobra Kai' star Jacob Bertrand hates when Hawk and Demetri fight: "Everything is heightened between them this season" (2024)

Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 1 has dropped on Netflix and fans are besides themselves. While Miyagi-Do has made it to Barcelona for the Sekai Taikai, the 6 representatives must face off against the newly reformed Cobra Kai, led by prison escapee John Kreese (Martin Kove) and their former dojo member Tory Nichols (Peyton List). As the good guys and gals from Miyagi-Do scramble to get their bearings to compete on the international karate stage, they will need to lean on each other more than ever.

One Miyagi-Do member who has seen it all? Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz, played by the incomparable Jacob Bertrand. Throughout six seasons, Hawk has been bullied, become a bully himself, changed his course to become All Valley champion, and then been humbled. It is one of the most interesting story arcs on the show. “I’m very blessed that the writers gave me a lot to work with,” said Bertrand. “I’m just grateful that they trusted me with such a cool character.”

One of Netflix’s most popular shows, Cobra Kai has won over fans of The Karate Kid franchise as well as attracted new audiences with its dynamic, young cast and compelling story. With Part 1 available to stream, Part 2 coming out in November, and Part 3 set to premiere in 2025, Bertrand and his cast mates still have some time before this wild ride comes to an end. “The show’s been a blast, so, it is kind of sad it’s almost over,” said Bertrand. “I’ve made a lot of really good friends, but I’m excited to move on to what’s next.”

DECIDER: Can’t believe I’m talking to an All Valley champ! How was Comic Con? I saw pictures of you and Xolo everywhere.

JACOB BERTRAND: Such a frickin’ blast. Xolo and I are big anime nerds, so it was great.

Were you getting approached by Cobra Kai fans?

Yes, quite a bit. We did a little appearance on behalf of the show at the Sony booth. It was awesome getting to meet a bunch fans. Xolo and I also recorded a podcast while we were there. It was super, super fun.

It must have been nice to celebrate with fans now that the show’s in its final season. How are you feeling about Cobra Kai coming to an end?

The show’s been a blast, so it is kind of sad that it’s almost over. Bittersweet, really. It feels like we’re graduating from high school and going to different colleges. It’s the end of an era. I’ve made a lot of really good friends, but I’m excited to move on to what’s next.

Out of all the dynamic characters on the show, Eli/Hawk has had one of the richest story arcs. I know you’ve had plenty of experience before Cobra Kai, but what’s it like to have such a dynamic and layered character to develop so early in your career?

Oh man, I’m very blessed that the writers gave me a lot to work with. I’m just grateful that they trusted me to have this crazy arc with such a cool character.

You mentioned the show’s ending feeling like graduating. I love that Eli, Miguel and Demetri got a taste of post-high school life by visiting college in Part 1. Was it fun to film those sequences?

Getting to do those scenes was super fun, especially with Joe Seo and Bo Mitchell, who play Kyler and Bucks. I was so stoked to get to film with them again and to hang out.

One of the favorite friendships on the show is that between Eli and Demetri. How did you feel when you found out the “Binary Bros” hit a rough patch in Part 1?

I was bummed about it, but just because I hate when Hawk and Demetri fight. Those characters have been through so much. They have a little moment of peace, but then it’s over. That’s really what Part I of the season is about— the shattering of everything good and holy. However, their fight is very much Hawk’s fault. He broke the news to Demetri about possibly not going to MIT in the worst way possible.

Were you and co-star Gianni DeCenzo excited about this change in dynamic between the characters?

It’s always cool getting to do new stuff and fight new people. Hawk and Demetri have never really had the chance to bicker and fight at this level before. Everything is heightened between them.

Hawk has bit of a rough season so far in Part 1. Everyone assumed he was a shoo-in for the Sekai Taikai, but that was not the case. Did his trajectory this season surprise you?

The discourse between Demetri and Hawk is what really surprised me. I had no idea of the direction that the writers were going to take, especially after Hawk won All Valley in Season 4 and then kind of lost every fight in Season 5 [laughs]. But that’s just a part of life, right? I totally thought Hawk would be a part of the Sekai Taikai, but how he got there was a shock.

Hawk got a bit of a makeover this season with his patriotic mohawk. Can you talk about the inspiration for that?

The backdoor inspiration came from a talk Hawk and Johnny had with each other about the Sekai Taikai where Johnny was like, “Dude, come on. You got to rep America.” That’s where that came from [laughs].

There are so many juicy storylines left to explore this season. Which are you most excited for fans to see play out: Tory re-joining Cobra Kai, Daniel and Johnny’s strained sensei relationship or Devon’s guilt over sabotaging Kenny?

The Tory storyline is so nuanced and has so many factors going into it. Her return to Cobra Kai is the big reveal at the end of Part 1. That decision is going to affect everyone. That’s Robby’s partner. That’s Sam’s new friend. The rest of Miyagi-Do is going to have to pull them together and make them feel okay. That storyline is the heart of this season.

We’ve seen our fair share of bad guys/gals on the show, including Hawk at one point. What makes Kwon stand out from the rest of these iconic baddies?

One thing I’ll say is Brandon Lee, who plays Kwon, is an absolute menace [laughs]. He’s a national TaeKwonDo champion and is so freaking good at what he does. He’s also a great improvisational actor. You won’t believe how amazing he is at everything. Some of his one-liners in Part 2? You’re going to be like “God, I frickin’ hate this guy.” Kwon is the best of what Cobra Kai has to offer, and he’s pretty damn good.

You’ve played Eli/Hawk for 6 seasons and you’ve gotten to do some really wild stuff in character. Does anything in particular stand out that you’ll remember forever?

There are two moments that reflect the duality of the character. One, Hawk breaking Demetri’s arm, and two, Hawk winning the All Valley. The guy was in such a dark place that he assaulted his best friend. Then in just 15 episodes, he wins a tournament. Those two moments were huge. When Hawk won the All-Valley, I will always remember all those people cheering for my character.

You mentioned your podcast, Lone Lobos, earlier. Do you and Xolo plan to continue it after Cobra Kai ends?

Yeah, our plan is to keep it going for as long as we can. We have a blast getting to do it. We have a little studio and some producers that we’re really tight with. We just launched a Supercast, so you can contribute to the show and become a producer. You can also get a bunch of exclusive content. We’ve loved forming this little community of “Lobitos.”

I love that you have so many of your Cobra Kai co-stars on to chat. I imagine the cast group text can get a little wild.

Yeah, the group chat is pretty wild. I think it’s called the “Karate Kid Musical” or something like that. It’s great. Me and Xolo live together when we film. Peyton lives in the back house. Gianni sleeps over practically every night. We just get to hang out so much.

Who do you think are the most active on the group chat?

I’d say Gianni and Mary [Mouser].

Judging by their characters, I’m not surprised you said that.

Yeah, I’d say Peyton, Tanner [Buchanan] and I are probably the least active. Xolo, Mary and Gianni, they keep it alive, for sure.

I’m just so happy we’ve still got 2 more installments of Season 6 to go! Why do you think Netflix chose to release the show in parts?

I have no idea why they did it that way [laughs]. However, Netflix has their genius algorithm and they know how things work the best. I don’t think it’s a bad thing for people who love the show, you know? It keeps everyone excited, including the cast and crew. I know some people who are like, “oh my God, I have to wait a whole four months?!”

I know! I don’t know how I’m going to make it. Last question: I know you can’t say much, but how would you describe Parts 2 & 3 in three words?

For Part 2, I would say “just nonstop action.” For Part 3, I would say “really good wrap-up for everyone.” That’s more than three words so you’re welcome!

Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix