An Avatar: The Last Airbender star feels the cast could have done better. More than two years after the show’s Netflix premiere, one of its stars reflected on the live-action adaptation of the hit Nickelodeon series. The remarks come ahead of the premiere of Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2, which is scheduled to release later this month.
What did the Avatar: The Last Airbender star say about Season 1 of the Netflix show?
Weighing in on Season 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dallas Liu, who plays Prince Zuko, said, “While we thought season 1 was good, we knew that we could do better.”
Speaking to EW, the actor who plays the exiled crown prince of the Fire Nation further added, “Because so much time had passed, we were really ready to prove ourselves as actors. As young indigenous actors, we really wanted to show the world [that] this is an opportunity that has been presented to us that we’re not gonna take for granted.”
Liu’s comments come after a season criticized for adopting a darker, more serious tone rather than sticking to the humorous, whimsical, and lighthearted moments the original animated series was known for. Avatar: The Last Airbender was also called out for its pacing, as many felt the makers crammed 20 episodes of animated storytelling into eight live-action hours. This made fans and critics feel the show moved at a breakneck pace, often missing key character beats and emotional developments.
Despite the criticism, Avatar: The Last Airbender was a commercial success for Netflix, resulting in the series being renewed for two more seasons, which were shot back-to-back. Season 2 will adapt the Earth storyline, introducing viewers to characters such as Toph Beifong and focusing on the Earth Kingdom. The third and final season is currently in post-production and is expected to premiere next year.
Based on the animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the re-interpretation stars Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Ken Leung, Daniel Dae Kim, and Miya Cech.
The official synopsis for Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 reads, “After a bittersweet victory saving the Northern Water Tribe from the invading Fire Nation, Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) regroup and set off on a mission to convince the elusive Earth King to aid in their battle against the fearsome Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim).”
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 is slated to premiere on Netflix on June 25, 2026.
Originally reported by Arvind Rao on ComingSoon.net.
