Excitement is building in the One Piece community as Lera Abova joins Netflix’s live-action adaptation as Nico Robin/Miss All Sunday, one of the series’ most iconic and intellectually formidable characters. With her on-screen presence, Abova is ready to bring the manga’s beloved character vividly to life, capturing Robin’s sharp intelligence, subtle strength, and deeply layered past.

Set to premiere on March 10, 2026, the show’s second season raises the stakes for the Straw Hat Pirates as they journey toward their goal. Despite the pressure that comes with portraying such a legendary character, the Russian actress embraces the challenge.

Blending calm confidence with an unmistakable sense of mystery, Abova looks ready to fully immerse herself in capturing Robin’s iconic demeanor. So, here’s what you should know about the actress behind Nico Robin, Lera Abova.

She Takes On The Challenge To Play Nico Robin

Season 2 of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece is filled with a star-studded cast and characters. Lera Abova is starring alongside Mexican actor Inaki Godoy, who plays the role of Luffy.

Portraying Nico Robin is no easy task; it involves bringing the manga character to life. Bringing such an iconic manga character comes with enormous pressure, but Abova is taking the challenge, pouring her heart into the series.

Infamously known as the “Devil Child,” Robin is a former assassin whose unparalleled knowledge of the Void Century and the Poneglyphs makes her one of the most important figures in the One Piece world. Her transition from a mistrustful loner to a fiercely loyal crewmate stands as one of the series’ most beloved character arcs.

Nico Robin’s arrival marks a key turning point for the Straw Hat Pirates. Viewers can also expect Lera Abova’s introduction to unfold through the iconic Alabasta arc, widely regarded as one of the franchise’s strongest storylines. This season is likely to delve into her complicated alliance with Crocodile and Baroque Works, while gradually setting the scene for her eventual decision to join Luffy’s crew.

The series creator Eiichiro Oda revealed that the casting for the live-action adaptation reflects the real-world nationalities he originally envisioned for the manga’s characters. According to SoraNews24, among the Straw Hat crew introduced so far, Oda has described Luffy as Brazilian, Zoro as Japanese, Nami as Swedish, Usopp as African, and Sanji as French.

The legendary One Piece manga creator also shared that he has always imagined Nico Robin as Russian, further emphasizing why Lera Abova’s background as a Russian actress and model makes her an especially fitting choice for the role.

Translating such a layered character to live action is a challenging task; however, with Abova’s subtle performance, audiences can expect a captivating on-screen journey that adds fresh depth to the series.

She Started Her Acting Career in 2019

Lera Abova is a Russian actress building a robust career across various TV series and films. Lera transitioned into acting in the late 2010s and has been performing since her late teens.

She made her first acting debut in 2019 as Maude in the action thriller series Anna, directed by Luc Besson. Talking about her debut role in Anna with Cinema Movie Theatre, the actress said she was mesmerized by her co-stars’ acting performances. She stated:

The performance and brilliance of my co-stars left me speechless. This level of acting is definitely something to look up to. How far Sasha Luss has come in performing her role as Anna makes me super proud of her. Congrats on her debut in this kick ass leading role!

She portrayed Thea / DJ Das Boot in 2022’s spinoff series, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin. Her breakthrough came with the German action thriller series Exterritorial, where she played Irina/Kira Volkova, a refugee hiding at the consulate. Since then, she has continued to gain mainstream visibility as a professional actress.

Continuing her rise, she has been cast as Miss Sunday in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, bringing elegance, depth, and conspiracy to one of the series’ most beloved characters.

She Is A Fashion Model

Before acting, Abova had a successful career as a fashion model. Originally from Russia, she began modeling at a young age and quickly became known for her impressive height, balanced proportions, and expressive features.

According to TheGuardian, her big break came in 2016, when she was discovered by photographer David Sims, launching her career as a fashion model. Her distinctive look soon caught the attention of many modeling agencies, resulting in contracts with some of the enterprise’s most prestigious names, such as Select Model Management, Oui Management, and Fabbrica Milano Management.

Over the years, Abova has also collaborated with renowned photographers and luxury brands, specifically within the fashion and high-end markets, covering fashion stories for Vogue magazine. Known for her versatility, she seamlessly transitions between high-fashion editorials, street-style concepts, and commercial campaigns, showcasing not only visual effect but also a strong sense of professionalism and adaptability.

Her ability to break into the global fashion scene has cemented her standing as one of Eastern Europe’s most respected models.

She Shares Acting And Fashion Works On Social Media

As her modeling and acting careers continue to gain momentum, Lera Abova’s social media presence has also grown alongside them. She has cultivated a sizable fan base drawn to her lifestyle, fashion sense, and ongoing projects.

Through her social media Instagram, Abova regularly shares glimpses of her work in front of the camera and on set, allowing followers around the world to engage with both her creative output and evolving career.

The content Abova shares often emphasizes her proficient journey, featuring photoshoots, on-set moments, and curated lifestyle visuals. Her posts are typically understated yet visually refined, mirroring her signature elegance and giving her profile a cohesive, yet polished aesthetic.

She Grew Up In Siberia

The 33-year-old actress was born in Slavgorod, a small village in Siberia, Russia. She has said that her hometown was so small it didn’t even appear on the map. At just 13, she left Siberia and relocated to Germany.

Unable to speak German, she depended on an electronic translator and faced early challenges fitting in at school due to both the language barrier and her different background.

Abova also holds Russian and German citizenship, dividing her time between fashion capitals like Berlin, London, and New York.