Netflix and Nickelodeon are bringing the magical world of Avatar: The Last Airbender back to our screens, and now we know who will be playing who in the live-action series.
Netflix first announced the live-action adaptation in 2018, when Avatar creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino were on board to helm the series. However, the original creators departed the project due to creative differences. Now, Albert Kim is serving as showrunner alongside Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, and Michael Goi.
Production is taking place on a virtual stage designed and operated by Pixomondo, a visual effects studio that helped to flesh out the world of Disney's The Mandalorian. Netflix has named most of the stars who are stepping onto the cutting-edge set, with Paul Sun-Hyung Lee being one of the latest additions to the cast at the time of writing.
Keep reading for a rundown of who's appearing in Netflix's ATLA — and don't forget to bookmark the page, as we'll be updating this article with any additional casting news.
Gordon Cormier as Aang
First up, Gordon Cormier has joined the cast of the live-action series in the role of Aang, aka the protagonist of Nickelodeon's original animated series. The character is described as being a "fearless and fun-loving twelve-year-old who just happens to be the Avatar, master of all four elements, and the keeper of balance and peace in the world."
Cormier, who you may recognize from the 2020 Stephen King miniseries The Stand, celebrated the Avatar casting news on his Instagram account back in August when it was first announced that he would be playing the reluctant hero of the series, who struggles "to deal with the burden of his duties while still holding on to his adventurous and playful nature."
Kiawentiio as Katara
Aang will have a few friends to help him navigate his duties, including Katara who will be played by Kiawentiio — an actress who came to prominence when she was cast as Ka'kwet in Anne with an E in 2019. Now she will be joining Aang and the rest of the gang in the live-action Avatar series, which will see them rally together to save the world by defeating Ozai.
14-year-old Katara is described as being a "determined and hopeful waterbender," the last in her small village where she and her brother Sokka grew up. She may only be young in age but sadly she has "already endured great personal tragedy, which has held her back from rising to her true potential, though it's never dimmed her warm and caring spirit."
Ian Ousley as Sokka
It's Ian Ousley who will be starring as Katara's sardonic and resourceful 16-year-old brother in the live-action Netflix series. The rising star has a handful of acting credits to his name, though his most notable role is probably that of Robby Corman in Netflix's 13 Reasons Why, even though he only appeared in three episodes of the teen drama.
As a character, Sokka is outwardly confident, even brash, which sometimes results in a few goofy moments but he also "takes his responsibility as the leader of his tribe seriously, despite his inner doubts over his warrior skills." He is a fan-favorite character from the original series and provides some comedic relief with his wit and deadpan sense of humor.
Dallas Liu as Zuko
In addition to this trio, it was announced back in August that Dallas Liu had signed up to play Zuko in the series, where he roams the world in exile. Liu's acting career is on the rise, having most recently starred as Ruihua, the younger brother of Awkwafina's Katy, in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
As a skilled firebender and the intense and guarded Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, Liu will no doubt be showing off his martial arts skills in Netflix's upcoming series where he is said to be on "an obsessive quest to capture the Avatar because he believes that is the only way to reclaim his life and live up to the demands of his cruel and controlling father, the Fire Lord."
Daniel Dae Kim as Ozai
Next up, Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender series found its Fire Lord in Daniel Dae Kim, who is known for his roles as Jin-Soo Kwon in Lost and Chin Ho Kelly in Hawaii Five-0, amongst many other acting credits. Kim also has past experience in the world of Avatar, having voiced General Fond in one episode of the original show as well as a video game adaptation.
Netflix revealed Kim is joining the series as a regular and said his character, Ozai, the ruler of the Fire Nation, "demands everyone live up to his impossible standards, especially his teenaged son, Prince Zuko. Ozai's drive to conquer and unite the world under firebender rule is a family burden—he believes that it's his destiny to finish a war started by his ancestors."
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh
As principal photography started to get underway on the series, Netflix announced three new cast members, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh. Lee is best known for having played family patriarch Appa in the Canadian sitcom Kim's Convenience. He also guest-starred as rebel pilot Captain Carson Teva in two episodes of The Mandalorian.
In Avatar, Lee will be playing Iroh, a guardian and father figure to the oftentimes hot-headed Prince Zuko following his banishment from the Fire Nation. Iroh played an important role in the original series and fast became one of the show's most beloved characters. He is a wise, kind-natured and spiritual man, even though he was once feared as a skilled general.
Lim Kay Siu as Gyatso
In addition, Lim Kay Siu joined the cast to portray Avatar Aang's kind and caring mentor Gyatso. The Singaporean character actor has appeared in several films and TV shows since making his acting debut in the 1980s. He famously starred as the villainous Mao Yixin in 1995's Night Watch and also played Prince Chowfa in 1999's Anna and the King.
Throughout the animated series, Gyatso shares a very close bond with Aang and finds himself being more than just a mentor to him as he also takes on the role of guardian, father figure and best friend. They spend their days practising airbending together as part of Avatar training, though they always manage to find time for fun and games outside of those classes.
Ken Leung as Zhao
Commander Zhao will be portrayed by Ken Leung, who played criminal mastermind Sang opposite Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour before being picked up for several other mainstream features. Some of his notable roles include starring as Miles Straume in Lost, Detective Steven Sing in Saw, and Admiral Statura in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Zhao was a scheming and ambitious adversary of Team Avatar in most of the events leading up to his siege of the Northern Water Tribe. In the Netflix series, he will be out to cause trouble again as the Fire Nation military officer is said to be eager to leverage an unexpected encounter with a desperate Prince Zuko in order to advance his personal goals.
Keep checking back here for all the latest casting updates for Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.