Netflix’s AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Star Says Seasons 2 and 3 Will Feel “Very Different”
Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender is expanding its universe in a big way. With Seasons 2 and 3 currently in production, the show is evolving, and according to star Daniel Dae Kim, fans should expect something very different from what they saw in Season 1.
Kim, who plays Fire Lord Ozai, recently spoke with Collider and teased just how much things are shifting behind the scenes.
“We’re in the first block of Season 3, and what I can say about the show is that each season grows in scale. If you thought Season 1 was big, wait till you see Season 3, because there is a change in the way we are shooting Seasons 2 and 3 that will make the show very different.”
The back-to-back production schedule reflects how seriously Netflix is taking this adaptation. After a solid response to Season 1, the streamer greenlit two more seasons to complete the story arc. Now the creative team is pushing things further, visually and narratively.
But it’s not just the technical scope that's changing. Kim also spoke about the young cast, saying how rewarding it’s been to witness their growth over the course of production.
“What’s been really cool about being part of the cast is watching these young actors grow from Episode 1 to now. What they’ve learned in terms of their technique and what they’ve learned about who they are has been really nice to watch.
“You hear so many stories about young actors being changed in a negative way by this business. But there’s something about the environment of that show where I really feel like these young actors are being nurtured, and I really can’t wait to see what they do, not just for Seasons 2 and 3 of our show, but beyond in their careers.”
Season 2 will introduce a wave of new characters as the story enters some of the series’ most iconic arcs. Miya Cech joins the cast as Toph Beifong, alongside Chin Han as Long Feng, Justin Chien as King Kuei, Amanda Zhou as Joo Dee, Crystal Yu as Lady Beifong, and Kelemete Mispeka as The Boulder.
The roster also includes Hoa Xuande as Professor Zei, Lourdes Faberes as General Sung, Rekha Sharma as Amita, Madison Hu as Fei, Dichen Lachman as Yangchen, Dolly De Leon as Lo and Li, Lily Gao as Ura, Terry Chen as Jeong Jeong, Jon Jon Briones as Piandao, and Tantoo Cardinal as Hama.
Returning from Season 1 are Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Dallas Liu as Zuko, Elizabeth Yu as Azula, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Iroh, and Daniel Dae Kim as Ozai.
While Netflix has yet to reveal an official release date for the new seasons, the fact that Season 3 is already filming suggests they’re aiming to keep momentum going.
I personally wasn’t a fan of the first season, so it will be great to see how the storytelling has improved with the next two seasons.