Jacob Bertrand, the actor who plays Hawk in Cobra Kai, reflects on his character’s arc from being a bullied kid to becoming a bully, and ultimately a hero. Bertrand shares that by the end of the series, Hawk has come full circle, knowing himself well and achieving a satisfying conclusion.
He expresses excitement for fans to see Hawk’s journey, especially considering the turmoil he has faced throughout the show. Despite the challenges Hawk encounters, most characters in the series, except those who die, receive a good ending, according to Bertrand.
Hawk’s transformation begins in season 1, where Eli ‘Hawk’ Moskowitz starts as a shy, quiet kid who is frequently bullied. His life changes dramatically after joining the Cobra Kai dojo, where he adopts a tough persona and a mohawk, embodying the dojo’s aggressive “strike first, no mercy” philosophy.
His character arc mirrors that of Johnny Lawrence, the original Karate Kid villain, who also evolves into a more complex and sympathetic figure. Hawk’s aggressive behavior intensifies in later seasons, particularly under the influence of the manipulative sensei Kreese.
As the series progresses, Hawk becomes a major antagonist, bullying his former friend Demetri and committing destructive acts, such as vandalizing Daniel LaRusso’s dojo and stealing Mr. Miyagi’s Medal of Honor. However, his redemption begins in season 3 when he saves Demetri during a brutal fight, which rekindles their friendship.
He ultimately joins the Miyagi-Do dojo, symbolizing his transition to the “good side.” Bertrand jokes about Hawk’s need to “drink from the Miyagi-Do water” to regain balance, though he admits that as an actor, he would’ve liked to explore an even darker side of Hawk’s character.
While Bertrand enjoyed playing the redemption arc, he confesses that he would have preferred if Hawk had remained a villain for longer, joking about wanting to see his character go so far as to kill people and break more arms.
However, he acknowledges that fans would not have liked such a turn. Hawk’s development as a character involves moments of both success and failure, which Bertrand finds rewarding to portray, despite sometimes disliking when Hawk loses, such as in his surprising defeat to Kenny in season 5.
Bertrand comments on the overarching theme in the Karate Kid franchise: learning from failure. Although he was initially confused by Hawk’s loss to Kenny, he appreciates the lesson it conveys to the audience, particularly younger viewers, about resilience and perseverance.
In the end, Hawk’s journey reflects the idea that “sometimes when you lose, you win,” a message central to the Cobra Kai story. Bertrand’s portrayal of Hawk showcases the highs and lows of the character’s path, leaving fans eager for what comes next in season 6.
