Netflix’s ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Series Reveals Cast

The live adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has revealed the main cast for the roles of Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko

After a long pause on the live-action adaptation of the iconic animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, Netflix finally has updates and revealed the cast for the main roles.

The series was first announced in 2018 with Avatar creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko involved in the adaptation. But they soon stepped down citing creative differences.

“Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar has the potential to be good...but what I can be certain about is that whatever version ends up on-screen, it will not be what Bryan and I had envisioned or intended to make,” DiMartino revealed in a blog post.

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Albert Kim took over as showrunner, writer and executive producer and said in a blog post that this adaptation will “establish a new benchmark in representation and bring in a whole new generation of fans”.

He added that “this was a chance to showcase Asian and Indigenous characters as living, breathing people. Not just in a cartoon, but in a world that truly exists, very similar to the one we live in”.

The more diverse casting choice this time is meant to "correct" the critical misfire from M. Night Shyamalan’s 2010 live-action adaptation, which heavily whitewashed its central characters.

Gordon Cormier as Aang

Gordon Cormier on being cast as Aang:
"Wow! I’m so honored to be casted as the legendary Aang in Netflix’s live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender! Yip yip! Meet my new friends [Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, and Dallas Liu!] It’s going to be a crazy ride!" pic.twitter.com/kXCWcjcA27
— Avatar News (@AvatarNews_) August 12, 2021

Playing the titular Aang is Filipino-Canadian actor, Gordon Cormier who is best known for his roles in Lost in Space and The Stand.

Kiawentiio Tarbell as Kitara

Kiawentiio on being cast as Katara:
"It’s official!! I’m excited to share that I’ve been cast as Katara in Netflix’s live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender!! I know you all have been waiting, thank you for all the love 💙😁" pic.twitter.com/8RV9Hd4ovE
— Avatar News (@AvatarNews_) August 12, 2021

Meanwhile, Kiawentiio Tarbell is taking on the role of Katara. Also a singer and songwriter, she is known for her roles in Anne with an E and Beans. Kiawentiio is part of the Mohawk indigenous group.

Ian Oulsey as Sokka

Ian Ousley on being cast as Sokka:
"i can NOT believe it but i’ve been cast as Sokka!! in [Netflix] live action adaptation of avatar the last air bender! 😁😁sooo i’m gonna be checked out for the rest of the day. just CHILLIN and sipping my cactus juice. (it’s the quenchiest)🌵" pic.twitter.com/svbMbcCgSS
— Avatar News (@AvatarNews_) August 12, 2021

Taking on the role of Kitara’s brother, Sokka, is Ian Oulsey, previously seen in 13 Reasons Why and Physical. The Texas-born actor is also a Cherokee tribe member and has practised martial arts including taekwondo for years.

Dallas Liu as Zuko

Dallas Liu on being cast as Zuko:
"welcome to the party:)" pic.twitter.com/5cqn2UR0hJ
— Avatar News (@AvatarNews_) August 12, 2021

Playing Zuko is Dallas Liu, who previously worked on Pen15 and Players and will be appearing in the upcoming Marvel movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Liu has taken karate classes from the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA). According to sources online, Liu is of Chinese and Indonesian descent.

Topics

avatar the last airbender avatar the last airbender netflix

Jianne Soriano

Former Digital Writer, Tatler Hong Kong

Jianne is a Hong Kong-born, bred and based Filipino. She graduated with a degree in International Journalism from Hong Kong Baptist University and went to work in Japan a travel writer. Upon returning to Hong Kong, she joined Tatler as a digital writer.