Isn’t Done Kicking Ass Yet
INTERVIEWER: Chris Saunders
WRITER: Patrick Grady
Tanner Buchanan isn’t one to sit still. Whether he’s tapping his feet between takes, pushing himself to his limits in karate, or prepping to produce his own projects – Buchanan thrives in that sweet spot between comfort and challenge.
Upon bidding farewell to Robby Keene, the angsty rebel he played for five seasons in Cobra Kai, Buchanan took the time to chat with us about the role that’s shaped so much of his career — and what it means to close this chapter. “Saying goodbye almost seems like a death, like I’m losing a friend.”The Ohio native has been an integral part of the martial arts series Cobra Kai since it first hit screens on YouTube Premium in 2018. A sequel to the Karate Kid trilogy, the series follows the same themes of redemption, rivalry, and mentorship — and people really couldn’t get enough. It wasn’t long before Netflix picked it up, where it’s been a hit ever since.
Now, after a short ‘n sweet break, he’s ready to get back to it. He’s gearing up for a project he’s been quietly working on for the past three years. Besides that, he’s probably dreaming about riding his motorcycle through the hills of Spain — who could blame him, really?
Chris Saunders: Before getting into acting, you started out as a tap dancer – do you still practice to this day?
Tanner Buchanan: I still tap to this day, however with such a crazy schedule I don’t get to go to classes and learn as much as I would like. But I’m constantly tapping my feet around anywhere I go and especially on set when there is some downtime.
CS: How much has dance influenced your growth as an actor, especially when it comes to using movement to build layered characters?
TB: I think it has helped so much. It helps me stay confident and relaxed – I’m able to be free in a scene and move around however I think that character might move. I also make sure each character I play has little physical things – ticks, movements – unique to them.
CS: If you could star in any musical, which one would it be and why?
TB: If I could do any musical it would be Singing In The Rain. Whether that be a remake of the movie or a stage production. I would love nothing more than to do a version of it because that’s the movie that made me want to start acting.
CS: With Cobra Kai coming to an end, how does it feel to say goodbye to Robby Keene?
TB: It feels weird not being able to play that character again. Robby has been seven and half years of my life and something I have put so much time and love into. Saying goodbye almost seems like a death, like I’m losing a friend.
CS: Looking back at your first day on set compared to now, how different do you think you are from that version of yourself? Has much changed?
TB: So much has changed from the first day until now, we all grew up on this show and went through such formative years of our life. This has been the best experience and wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere doing anything else other than Cobra Kai.
CS: You earned your black belt while working on Cobra Kai, which is an incredible achievement – especially since your mum earned hers back in the ‘80s. What did that moment mean to you?
TB: It meant the world to me. We have really been training over the past seven years and to have the opportunity to receive my black belt was a true honor. I have so much passion for karate and want to continue to do it for the rest of my life.
CS: Filming the final season must have been an emotional rollercoaster. Was it tough to keep it together? Were there any tears once it all wrapped?
TB: It was so hard to keep it together all season. Each and everyone of us were feeling the big emotions and nostalgia the entire time we shot and just tried to soak everything up. My last day there was definitely a lot of tears. I ended the day with a series wrap and as soon as it was announced I just broke down and started bawling and didn’t stop for a couple hours.
CS: What’s been your most memorable scene or moment from the entire series?
TB: Honestly everything about this show is so memorable it’s always hard to pinpoint just one moment. But if I were to pick one now off the top of my head it would be the last fight of the show watching Billy get to fight in the tournament and win.
CS: Now that filming is over, what will you miss the most about being on set?
TB: I’m gonna miss how much everyone hung out. The cast and crew were around each other for months on end and we never got tired of each other – we all worked together and hung out 24/7. Obviously we all still hangout, but can’t day-in and day-out now, so that has been a little weird – not just having access to being with everyone at a moment’s notice.
CS: Has it been difficult adjusting to a new routine after Cobra Kai? Have you had much downtime, or have you already jumped into new projects?
TB: It definitely has been hard adjusting. We had such an intense schedule that I have definitely taken time to relax and allow my body to rest but I was eager to start working again. I probably only rested for a couple months and that was enough for me, I was ready to jump right back into something else.
CS: You’ve mentioned wanting to work behind the camera more, especially as a producer. What about that side of the industry excites you?
TB: Well as an actor you are introduced into projects halfway through the process and get to see it through to the end. However I would love the opportunity to produce and be a part of projects from the very beginning. Getting to experience and create fun meaningful stories for the world to see!
CS: Would you say you put a lot of pressure on yourself, or are you more relaxed when it comes to your career?
TB: It’s interesting because I would say both. I am constantly sitting in comfortable, uncomfortably. If that makes sense. I always want to do better and continue to learn and challenge myself not only in life but in terms of this career and the only way to do that for me is to sit in an uncomfortable spot that isn’t too uncomfortable but just right. That perfect sweet spot.
CS: I read that you’re into motorcycles – do you have a dream bike, or have you already found the one?
TB: I actually don’t have a dream bike. I am more of a collector of bikes. I want to experience everything. Each bike has its own feel and ride and I just love it and I love getting to experience the differences within the feeling that you get from each and every specific motorcycle.
CS: If you could take your bike on a road trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
TB: The next place I would like to go and see on motorcycle would probably be Spain. We got to go there for Cobra Kai but we were only there for three days and I found it so beautiful. I would love to ride around the country and see all of the amazing sites.
CS: What’s next for you for the rest of 2025 – anything exciting coming up you can share with us?
TB: I’m currently working on a project that I’ve been working on for the past three years. We still don’t know when it is going to come out, but it should be soon and I’m so excited for people to get to experience it.
PHOTOGRAPHER Harry Eelman
VIDEOGRAPHER Tyler Rabin
VIDEOGRAPHER VHS Jabari Browne
EDITOR Archie Dalziel
PHOTO ASSISTANT Isaac Schell
STYLIST Britt Mccamey
STYLING ASSISTANT Eliza Jane Flynn
STYLING ASSISTANT Gaia Menichini
GROOMER Isaac Davidson
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Laura Brunisholz