Cobra Kai Cast Discusses Forced Marriages and the Franchise’s Unconventional Legacy

Mary Mouser and Tanner Buchanan, known for their roles in Netflix’s smash-hit series Cobra Kai, recently shared insights into their characters as the children of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) while discussing the enduring legacy of The Karate Kid franchise.

Over the course of six seasons, Buchanan has brought to life Johnny’s son, Robby, while Mouser plays Daniel’s daughter, Sam. The storyline kicks off when Johnny rekindles the Cobra Kai dojo, pulling Daniel back into the karate scene. This revitalization not only reignites their long-standing rivalry but also entangles their children in the drama, marking a new chapter in the saga.Cobra Kai has emerged as one of Netflix’s top original series, seamlessly continuing the beloved Karate Kid saga. Although the series recently concluded, spinoffs could still be on the horizon. As the cast reflects on their journey, they express what it means to carry on the legacy as the next generation of karate enthusiasts.

Cobra Kai’s Impact: Insights from Mary Mouser and Tanner Buchanan

During a recent conversation with Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue, Mouser and Buchanan discussed their unique experiences in the series. They were asked how it feels to embody the roles of Johnny and Danny’s children, along with the impact their characters have had on fans connected to The Karate Kid legacy. Mouser expressed her amazement, saying, “Absolutely. Like, it’s, it’s so pinch me. It’s unreal.” In contrast, Buchanan remarked on the occasional surprise he feels when he is reminded of his on-screen family’s significance, explaining:

I forget it constantly. When I do the thing, and they’re like, ‘I love your dad on the show, ’cause he was the guy I looked up to in the eighties, ’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, who?’ And they’re like, ‘Johnny.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, wait, that’s right … you know, my dad’s child. Yeah…

Since their off-screen friendship spills over to their on-screen dynamics, the duo often encounters playful reactions from fans referring to Johnny and Daniel as their “dads, ” which has led to some amusing moments. Mouser shared, “Yeah. I will say the fans are the best about that… Tanner and I obviously — we hang out all the time. And so when people see us out and about, they immediately come. They’re like, ‘Oh my God, I love your dads.’ And now I, like, have this image in my head of what a funny life that would be. If Johnny and Daniel had had to end up in some sort of forced marriage situation … Dads … we love our dads, too…”

Reflecting on the show’s legacy, Buchanan remarked, “It’s a crazy cool, surreal thing that is now part of our lives forever. You know, as long as TV still exists and people can watch the show.” Mouser echoed his sentiments, adding, “It’ll always exist in our hearts. But for real, I’ve learned so much from Ralph, and he has been so kind and welcoming and gracious to bring me into his life and let me be a part of his world off camera. I’m so grateful for that experience. So, it’s very easy to feel right at home. And to feel a lot of pride and gratitude when somebody says, ‘Oh my God, your dad was my favorite character ever.’ I’m like, yeah, he was.”

Buchanan elaborated on their relationships with Macchio and Zabka, sharing, “Yeah, he’s [Macchio] the best. And Billy [Zabka] does the same thing. I mean, he even texted all of us on Christmas. Mm-hmm. I’m like, ‘Merry Christmas. What are you guys doing?’ Like, we got pictures of his kids with their presents.” Mouser concluded their discussion with, “Yeah. It’s definitely a family. Yeah.”

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