The Last Airbender 10 Interesting Facts About Netflix’s Live-Action Cast
As Netflix continues to release more information on its upcoming live-action adaption, fans should know these details about the ATLA cast.
After mixed audience reviews of the sequel series for Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA), a failed live-action film, and much deliberation, Netflix announced in 2018 that it will be bringing the series to live-action. Initially, fans of the original series seemed hesitant – for valid reasons: M. Night Shyamalan’s version was considered the laughing stock of adaptations. However, as the casting choices trickled in, the tides turned in Netflix’s favor.
So far, Netflix is steadily releasing more information about the show as it gets closer to wrapping production. Though, there is still no official premiere date. Until then, fans should be eager to find out whatever they can about the new ATLA cast.
10 Gordon Cormier As Aang
Just like Aang, Gordon Cormier (age 13) enjoys having fun and martial arts. Currently, this Canadian-based actor participates in competition skateboarding and voice-over work. Although he hasn’t had a role in any significant movies, he played a minor recurring character in The Stand, a mini-series.
Fans may not know that Cormier was the last of the four main characters to secure his role. In August 2021, only months away from the start of filming, producers announced he would play the “Boy in the Iceberg.” Since airbending is based on the Baguazhang form, fans hope that Cormier will use his Taekwondo background to fast-track his progress, given such a short training period. It’ll be exciting to see airbending come to life – properly, fans hope this time.
9 Kiawenti:io Tarbell As Katara
Katara (Kiawenti: io Tarbell) narrates the animated ATLA’s opening monologue; loyal fans hope that Tarbell will open each episode with this iconic dialogue. As the series’ primary deuteragonist, Katara is the de facto leader and “parental” guidance for the trio; fans expect this actress to convincingly covey the oft motherly but passionately strong character.
At the beginning of production, Tarbell was the same age as her on-screen character, Katara. Although she only has four previous roles in various small shows, this Native American actress starred in her original music video “Light at the End.” Since Tarbell does not have formal martial arts experience, fans should note that visual effects may compensate.
8 Ian Ousley As Sokka
Like his co-star Gordon Cormier, Ian Ousley trains in Taekwondo (via Vimeo); however, his experience appears more extensive. This actor is best known for tv series roles like 13 Reasons Why and a guest appearance on Young Sheldon’s “A House for Sale and Serious Woman Stuff.”
It wouldn’t be a proper live-action ATLA adaption without some controversy: TikTok fans accused Ousley of lying about his Native American-Asian heritage to land his role; however, reports have negated those claims (via Reddit). Hopefully, fans who were skeptical because of the disinformation can move past the spurious allegations and enjoy Ousley’s performance as the sharp-witted teen. Most fans can’t wait to see him throw Sokka’s trusty boomerang.
7 Maria Zhang As Suki
As the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, fans expect that Maria Zhang has a background wielding katanas or a form of Aikido, the fighting style practiced by this all-female group. However, there is no evidence Zhang has skill in either, which may give fans a pause. However, fans hope that by the time she joins the Gaang in a recurring role, she’ll have more experience under her belt.
As with the rest of her castmates, she has only appeared in small productions. Fans might be surprised to learn that Zhang is tri-lingual in Chinese, Polish, and English. She is also the oldest of the teen cast. In 2021, she graduated from the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
6 Dallas Liu As Zuko
Because Zuko is such a beloved character in the franchise, fans are excited to see a familiar face. This hot-headed prince will be played by Dallas Liu, an emerging young actor. He made a cameo in 2010’s Tekken. Since then, he has appeared in Bones, CSI: Cyber, Shang-Chi, and other film productions. Among the main cast, he has the most comprehensive resume.
Starring as ATLA’s Zuko should be his break-out supporting role. Liu practices weaponry; he was even a contestant at the 2012 Quebec Open – Youth Weapons Finals (via YouTube). This is apropos for his character Zuko because the banished son’s masked alter-ego is skilled in sword-fighting and hand-to-hand combat. Besides acting, Liu appreciates photography and modeling.
5 Paul Sun-Hyung Lee As Iroh
ATLA is one of those rare series where a minor recurring character is just as beloved as the protagonists. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee plays the wise, endlessly quotable tea-loving Iroh, uncle of Zuko. This television actor won several Canadian Screen Awards as the lead comedy actor in Kim’s Convenience.
When he’s not on set, Lee enjoys streaming video games on Twitch, filming live unboxing videos on YouTube, and frequently updating his social media. One of his favorite pastimes is baseball, where he is an assistant coach to his son’s team (via Instagram). He also loves Star Wars; acting in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett were life-long dream projects.
4 Elizabeth Yu As Azula
Where her brother was weak in her father’s eyes, Azula is a master combatant and firebending prodigy. Ironically, unlike her on-screen brother (Dallas Liu), Elizabeth Yu doesn’t appear to have a background in martial arts. According to her resume on Backstage, Yu’s skills include art, dance, equestrian, and music.
Besides Netflix’s ATLA, Somewhere in Queens is Yu’s only other role. Unlike the majority of the cast, she began acting like an adult. In her childhood, she invested her time in musical theater. Similar to the other up-and-coming stars, she keeps a relatively low profile on her social media. Fans are eager to see what Yu can bring to the table as Zuko’s sister.
3 Daniel Dae Kim As Ozai
Grounding this cast of mostly unknowns is South Korean-American actor Daniel Dae Kim, best known for his array of roles in hit tv shows. In ABC’s hit sci-fi drama Lost, he rose to stardom as Jin-Soo Kwon. After his tenure on the successful show, he took on high-profile roles like Hawaii Five-O, The Good Doctor, and New Amsterdam.
Fans would be surprised to know that this star had a minor role in the original ATLA series as General Fong, a high-ranking Earth Kingdom officer who attempts to force Aang into the Avatar State. He also voiced Hiroshi Sato, a recurring minor character in Legend of Korra. Although both characters served as minor villains then, now Kim has upgraded to the primary antagonist!
2 Yvonne Chapman As Kyoshi
In the original series, Kyoshi barely had a role in the series. However, she garnered a large fan following for her strength of character and misperceived penchant for violence. Kyoshi is widely remembered for her home island and the Kiyoshi Warriors, where the Gaang encounters Suki. She also infrequently gave Aang advice; perhaps the Netflix writers will provide her with a more significant role.
For her role in Kung Fu, Yvonne Chapman had to train extensively in the sport; fans should have no concerns she’ll live up to her powerhouse character. While she isn't acting, Chapman participates in Asian advocacy, fitness, and activities with friends and family. She's passionate about art, be that short independent films to photography.
1 C.S. Lee As Roku
Fans recall that the 100-Year War began after Avatar Roku (C.S. Lee) died; however, it may have been preventable had Roku been more decisive about threats. Although it’s unreasonable to judge a person’s character on their biggest mistake, perhaps Netflix may dive a little more into Roku’s past to make him “redeemable.”
Lee is a television actor well-known for his recurring roles on Dexter, True Detective, Chicago Med, and an assortment of other crime dramas. During high school, he developed an interest in acting, which led him to graduate from Cornish College of the Arts and finish a Master’s degree at the Yale School of Drama. According to Lee’s Instagram, the actor devotes himself to his family, charity work, traveling, and watching sports.
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