Warning: This article contains spoilers aboutCobra Kaiseason 3.

“Ali, is it really you?”

Oscar nomineeElisabeth Shuefinally returned to the Valley with a two-episode arc inCobra Kaiseason 3 onNetflix.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:Cobra Kaifans have been waiting a long time for Ali’s return.

How did this all come about?

ELISABETH SHUE:It all started when I was working onThe Boys.

I was working with this wonderful director, Dan Trachtenberg, who directed the pilot forThe Boys.

To be honest, I really hadn’t thought about being onCobra Kai.

I was like, “What?

I don’t know… Do you think that’s a good idea?”

He goes, “Is that a goodidea?

Youhaveto be onCobra Kai!”

I said, “Why, why do you care so much?”

He said, “You have no idea how importantThe Karate Kidis in my life.”

I was like, “Whoaokay!”

I said, “I’ll do whatever you need.”

Were you aware of how often the character had been invoked in the first two seasons?

I wondered how Ali would even fit into that story.

It didn’t feel like there was a place for her.

WereCobra Kaifans approaching you before you agreed to be on the show?

I think it’s probably a similar fanbase,The BoysandCobra Kai.

I definitely got asked the question every single time.

What was it like to work with Ralph and William again?

It was so fun to realize that all of our chemistry was exactly the same.

My chemistry with Ralph was the same, the same with Billyit was odd!

It was literally like a high school reunion; it felt like no time had passed.

Like none at all.

We kept reminiscing and laughing, constantly reliving the firstKarate Kidevery minute between takes.

Nonstop reminiscing about our experience and laughing about what a great movie it turned out to be.

Because at the time,Karate Kid, it sounded like, what kind of movie is that?

I just had this way of talking about it.

It was my first movie, and Ralph was this big movie star.

We were all so jealous that he had a managerlike whoa, he’s so important.

[Laughs] We were all beginners.

How long had it been since you had seen either of them?

Well, I ran into Billy at Comic-Con oddly enough forThe Boys, just a few months before.

When we first saw each other I was just in shock.

That scene looked like it was a lot of fun to film.

I remember feeling so competitive, especially playing air hockey.

[Laughs] So I’m hoping that they dramatize the fact that Ididbeat him.

Everyone looks pretty ageless.

That’s good lighting.

That’s a lot of good lighting.

Of course, we have to discuss Johnny and Ali’s near-kiss moment.

We never got to have a [normal] scene.

So I loved getting a chance to do that.

In [Cobra Kai], we talked and communicated and acted together, and I loved that.

So that was really surprising and wonderful to almost start a new relationship really.

But yeah, I would have been up for a kiss.

Are you kidding me?

They could have had a kiss!

I’m sure that was the reason.

Other than that, I would’ve gone right in there and gotten a great one.

[Laughs]

Ali plays a really important role in helping Johnny and Daniel move past their rivalry.

Why do you think her character was able to do what so many others couldn’t?

I’m so glad that that role was left for her to play.

But that was really [the writers'] doing.

The emotional part of it for me really surprised me.

And yet it just overcame me, and I was almost embarrassed that it did.

It does seem that the experience was therapeutic for Ali, too.

I really enjoyed that moment walking back into the party after I said goodbye to [Johnny].

I felt like I was off going to figure out who Ali really was.

I had purposeeven at this late age, I had a new purpose.

Who knew that in two episodes ofCobra Kai, that I could do so much?

It’s really cool.

I’m so respectful of what they’ve created onCobra Kai.

Nobody would have ever thought that it would have become something so special and unique unto itself.

You shot your appearance in 2019what’s it been like keeping this secret for so long?

I just finished a series, it’s calledOn the Vergeand it’s for Netflix.

So wait, what do you think is going to happen to Miguel?

Do you have any inside information?"

He literally would grill me aboutCobra KaiorThe Karate Kidevery second we were on the set together.

It’s been hilarious just how everywhere I go, that is what everybody wants to talk about.

Did you tell Sutton you were going to be in season 3?

I did, I told him.

I knew he wouldn’t tell anybody.

He was just driving me crazy, so I had to.

Well, we already have a plan.

It’s going to be season 9.

[Laughs]

Cobra Kaiseason 3 is streaming now on Netflix.