The former Disney Channel actress joined the show in season 2 and has had a steady character arc.

Peyton List, Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai’s Queen Cobra is portrayed to perfection by actress Peyton List. The former Disney Channel star joined the Netflix show in its second season and quickly became a fan favorite. Her character, Tory Nichols, has had a great character arc in the show.

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However, the beloved role would have almost gone to someone else as List was initially unsure about the role. The actress mentioned that she did not relate to Nichols when she was offered the part and did not prepare much but was selected after she nailed her audition.

Peyton List Auditioned For Cobra Kai With Little Sleep And Unprepared

Peyton List as Tory NicholsPeyton List in Cobra Kai | Credits: Netflix

Cobra Kai’s Queen Cobra Peyton List has been a fan favorite since her appearance in the second season of the Netflix show. A fan of the Karate Kid franchise, the actress played Tory Nichols, a fearless and skilled kickboxer who joins the dojo and becomes a formidable fighter.

While List’s performance has been lauded and acclaimed, the actress revealed that she was initially apprehensive about the role as she did not relate to the part. Known for her work on the Disney Channel’s Bunk’d and Jessie, List mentioned that she was initially attracted to the role only because it was different from her Disney work.

Peyton List as Tory Nichols in a karate stancePeyton List in Cobra Kai | Credits: Netflix

However, she was ridiculously unprepared for her audition as she had little sleep on top of being unclear about the part. She said to Pure Wow,

It’s funny that I went in with that attitude, it was not a manifestation or a positive attitude. I thought, ‘This really isn’t for me.’ I only went to my friend’s movie premiere the night before and barely slept. I committed to it but winged it, and I was shocked when they loved it.

The actress also mentioned that despite the role being different from her other work, she felt that she was not ready for such a drastic shift. However, her talent got her through and she got the part.

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Peyton List Did Not Watch Cobra Kai Until She Got The Part

Peyton List and Jacob BertrandPeyton List and Jacob Bertrand in Cobra Kai | Credits: Netflix

Netflix’s Cobra Kai is a spinoff of the classic ‘80s action film Karate Kid and features William Zabka and Ralph Macchio as adult versions of their characters from the original. The show first debuted on YouTube Red before the platform closed down and the show was acquired by Netflix.

Peyton List reportedly had not watched the series before getting the part. She also mentioned that part of why she wanted to join the show was because she woud get to work with her The Swap co-star and current boyfriend Jacob Bertrand again. She said,

My friend, Jacob, I did work with him before, and he was on Cobra Kai, so I wanted to work with him again. I didn’t watch the show until I got it…I was a bad friend. I watched the first season, and I was like, ‘Wait, I cannot wait to join this show.’ And I’ve watched Karate Kid growing up.

The actress mentioned that several people came up to her and said that they had similar apprehensions about the show before watching it and then fell in love with it.