Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Cast and Character Guide

Source: Avatar: The Last Airbender, Albert Kim, Netflix, 2024

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Netflix’s adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender will premiere soon. The live-action series is set to debut on February 22. We’ll once again see Aang's adventures, but with minor or major changes. News of them has already created confusion, but we’ll only know true extent of them after the premiere. But let's not focus on them now, but on the characters of both productions. Below we’ll give you brief descriptions of all the characters who will appear in the first season of the Netflix production, along with their new actors.

Gaang

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Albert Kim, Netflix, 2024

• Aang (Gordon Cormier) – the main character of the series, Avatar, which is another reincarnation of the being with the ability to bend all four elements. Aang is a 12-year-old Air Nomad, who was born more than a century ago and was locked up in a glacier for a century. He was freed by Katara and Sokka, and with the ongoing war, he must master all the elements to stop the fighting and bring peace to the world. In doing so, he tries to stay true to his adventurous and playful nature as a young boy. Gordon Cormier, who plays Aang, previously appeared in 2020's The Stand.
• Katara (Kiawentiio) – is the last waterbender in the Southern Water Tribe. A 14-year-old girl who has taken over from her deceased mother, she cares for her brother and, after meeting Aang, also for the young Avatar. She sets out with Avatar's team on an adventurous journey to learn water magic, as well as to support Aang in his mission. In What if...? Kiawentiio was voice actor of Wahta.
• Sokka (Ian Ousley) – a sarcastic 16-year-old warrior from the Southern Water Tribe. The only male in his own village, the others set out to fight in the war. Sokka has taken his role as self-appointed leader of the tribe very seriously, although inside he has doubts about his skills as a warrior. He masks any weaknesses with a cutting wit. Together with Katara, he supports Avatar, and is the only member of the team who isn’t a bender. You may be familiar with Ian Ousley from 13 Reasons Why, where he played Robby.

Fire Nation

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Albert Kim, Netflix, 2024

• Zuko (Dallas Liu) – an exiled prince of the Fire Nation who, in order to regain his honor, must capture the Avatar. He’s given this mission by his father, Fire Lord Ozai, who exiled him, having previously humiliated him in front of the nation. Zuko is a talented firebender who is obsessed with catching Aang. Dallas Liu previously starred in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as Ruihua.
• Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) – Zuko’s uncle, a kind-hearted, elderly man who loves to brew tea. He’s a wise and experienced general of the Fire Nation, as well as a firebender. He’s a mentor to his impulsive nephew, to whom he offers good advice and is ready to protect him. He’s known as the Dragon of the West and is respected among all nations. In the Star Wars universe, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is known as Captain Carson Teva.
• Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) – The Fire Lord, leading his people in a war that he doesn't think of stopping. He believes that he must continue the "work" of his ancestors and subjugate the world to the rule of his people, expecting also that everyone – and before all his children – will live up to his high expectations. Daniel Dae Kim has appeared in many famous productions in his career, but certainly the most famous was the series Lost.
• Azula (Elizabeth Yu) – princess of the Fire Nation, sister of Zuko. A ruthless firebender, she will go to any lengths to prove herself right. She wants to become the heir to the throne of the Fire Nation and is ready to achieve this at any cost. You might know Elizabeth Yu from the Obsession, where she played Mary Atherton-Yoo.
• Zhao (Ken Leung) – admiral of the Fire Nation. An ambitious man, for whom only his own benefit matters. Ken Leung is another actor known from Lost, where he played Miles Straume.
• Ty Lee (Momona Tamada) – a talented and energetic acrobat from the Fire Nation, Princess Azula's best friend. Momona Tamada has appeared in The Boys, among others.
• Mei (Thalia Tran) – a dangerous and deadly serious teenager from the Fire Nation, Princess Azula's best friend. Thalia Tran previously starred in the series Station 19.
• Sozin (Hiro Kanagawa) – the late Fire Lord, who was characterized by ambition and ruthlessness. Grandfather of Iroh and Ozai. In Altered Carbon, Hiro Kanagawa played Captain Tanaka.

Water Tribes

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Albert Kim, Netflix, 2024

• Kanna (Casey Camp-Horinek) – grandmother of Katara and Sokka. The oldest representative of the Southern Water Tribe. However, she comes from the Northern Water Tribe. She’s a caring woman who tries to guide her grandchildren wisely. Casey Camp-Horinek previously starred as Grandma Irene in Reservation Dogs.
• Yue (Amber Midthunder) – a gentle and helpful princess of the Northern Water Tribe. She’s the daughter of Chief Arnook and one of his advisors. Amber Midthunder is certainly best known for her leading role in Prey.
• Pakku (A Martinez) – a master of waterbending from the Northern Water Tribe. He's a demanding teacher and a fierce defender of tradition. A Martinez previously starred in Michael Bay's Ambulance.
• Yagoda (Irene Bedard) – Kanna's former friend, a healer from the Northern Water Tribe. She’s an role model for the women waterbenders from her tribe. Irene Bedard was the English voice of Pocahontas in the 1995 animation.
• Hahn (Joel Oulette) – a powerful and talented warrior from the Northern Water Tribe who is focusing on his military career. Joel Oulette most recently starred in the Nancy Drew series.
• Arnook (Nathaniel Arcand) – a respected chief of the Northern Water Tribe and father of Princess Yue. Nathaniel Arcand previously played in The Revenant alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

Earth Kingdom

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Albert Kim, Netflix, 2024

• Suki (Maria Zhang) – leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, an elite group of women tasked with protecting their community and living by the ideals of the Avatar Kyoshi. Suki’s a strong and fearless warrior. Maria Zhang has previously appeared mainly in short films, including 2022's All I Ever Wanted.
• Yukari (Tamlyn Tomita) – Suki's mother, and mayor of a small village located on Kyoshi Island. You may know Tamlyn Tomita as Caroline from Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
• June (Arden Cho) – a bounty hunter known for her effectiveness, who is characterized by great strength. Arden Cho previously had a big role in the Teen Wolf series.
• Bumi (Utkarsh Ambudkar) – king of Omashu of the Earth Kingdom. An unpredictable but powerful earthbender. Utkarsh Ambudkar's filmography includes such productions as Free Guy and Mulan.
• Mechanik (Danny Pudi) – an eccentric inventor who, along with his people, took up residence in the Northern Air Temple, which had been abandoned for years, after becoming refugees. Danny Pudi is probably best known for his role in Community.
• Teo (Lucian-River Chauhan) – son of a mechanic, dreamer. Lucian-River Chauhan previously starred alongside Riz Ahmed in Encounter.
• Cabbage Merchant (James Sie) – cabbage merchant who appears in numerous gags and is originally from Omashu. James Sie is also the voice actor of the Cabbage Merchant from the animated series about Avatar.
• Jet (Sebastian Amoruso) – a young warrior from the Earth Kingdom. The leader of a group of teenagers who put up guerrilla resistance to the Fire Nation. Sebastian Amoruso previously starred in 2021's I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Air Nomads

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Albert Kim, Netflix, 2024

• Gyatso (Lim Kay Siu) – Aang's kind-hearted teacher, guardian and best friend. You may have seen Lim Kay Siu in 1999's Rogue Trader, among others.

Previous Avatars

• Kuruk (Meegwun Fairbrother) – Avatar from the Water Tribe, faced problems from the Spirit World. Meegwun Fairbrother appeared in several episodes of the Skymed series.
• Kyoshi (Yvonne Chapman) – Avatar from the Earth Kingdom. Kyoshi went down in history as a legendary warrior with terrifying fighting skills. She was uncompromising and fully committed to bringing justice. Yvonne Chapman starred in the series Family Law.
• Roku (C. S. Lee) – Avatar from the Fire Nation. A wise and benevolent bender, Aang's predecessor. C. S. Lee has played in the past in For All Mankind and in Dexter.