Oona O’Brien is making quite a splash with her role as Devon Lee in Cobra Kai, and she’s every bit as impressive in real life as her character on the show.
Cobra Kai, the popular Netflix series that picks up where the classic ’80s Karate Kid films left off, brings back Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso and William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence, while also introducing a new generation of talent. Oona, born in September 2007, is one of these fresh faces, having joined the show at just 14 years old.
Despite her youth, Oona already has a notable resume. Before Cobra Kai, she appeared in a 2020 short film called Sky High, but her role as Devon Lee is her first major breakthrough. She was a fan of the series long before she landed her role. In fact, she binged the show with her family and was rewatching it when she received her audition. Talk about serendipity!
Oona isn’t just acting; she’s also a bona fide athlete. Alongside her work in martial arts for the show, she’s into ice skating, snowboarding, soccer, and competitive swimming. Her dedication to training is evident, and her Cobra Kai castmates were genuinely impressed with her karate skills, especially considering she started with minimal experience. Peyton List even mentioned that Oona’s commitment included attending karate camp, where the trainees sleep on the mats!
Oona’s portrayal of Devon is significant not just for her skills but also for the representation it brings. Devon Lee is a strong, assertive competitor who defies the common stereotypes about Asian girls being weak or submissive. As Oona noted in an interview, Devon’s character helps challenge these outdated notions and brings a fresh perspective to the show.
Overall, Oona O’Brien is not just a rising star in the acting world but also a powerful example of breaking stereotypes and excelling both on and off the screen.
