The series stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, reprising their respective roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence from the film series. The first and second seasons launched on YouTube Red / YouTube Premium in May 2018 and April 2019. Netflix acquired the series in June 2020 after YouTube decided to stop producing scripted original programming. Martin Kove and Thomas Ian Griffith also reprise their roles from the films as part of the main cast.