Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Series Has Found its Uncle Iroh

November 16, 2021

Following the recent addition of Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai, Netflix has announced three new cast members who are set to join the forthcoming live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series. This includes Kim’s Convenience star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as he officially signs on for the fan-favorite role of Uncle Iroh, the Fire Lord’s older brother. The beloved character is described as a retired Fire Nation general and the wise and nurturing mentor to his hot-headed nephew, Prince Zuko.

Lim Kay Siu (Nightwatch), and Ken Leung (Industry) have also been cast for the respective roles of Air Nomad monk Gyatso, and the villainous Commander Zhao of the Fire Nation. Gyatso is Aang’s guardian, father figure, and best friend, while Zhao is a scheming and ambitious Fire Nation military officer who’s eager to leverage an unexpected encounter with a desperate Prince Zuko to advance his personal goals.

In addition, Netflix has also confirmed that production on the highly-anticipated Avatar: The Airbender series has officially begun in Vancouver. Shooting will take place in a new custom-built facility where it will utilize one of the biggest virtual production volumes in North America, with 23,000 sq ft of stage space and more than 3,000 LED Panels.

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.

Netflix’s AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER live action series is officially in production pic.twitter.com/CSl4JdXAL2

— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 16, 2021

“We’re thrilled to start production on this incredible project and we’re especially excited to work with the technology-benders at PXO to create the wondrous world of ATLA using the most advanced techniques available to filmmakers anywhere in the world,” Showrunner Albert Kim said in a statement.

Based on Nickelodeon’s beloved animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender will be led by Filipino-Canadian actor Gordon Cormier (The Stand) as Aang, Kiawentiio (Anne with an E) as Katara, Ian Ousley (Physical) as Sokka, and Dallas Liu (PEN15) as Zuko.

The live-action series hails from Sleepy Hollow‘s Albert Kim who is serving as the showrunner, writer, and executive producer. In his personal letter to fans, Kim went to stress the importance of authenticity and representation as well as the project’s huge responsibility to deliver a story that highlights Asian and Indigenous characters.

Netflix’s The Avatar: The Last Airbender series is executive produced by Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore. It is being directed by Michael Goi, Roseanne Liang, and Jabba Raisaini, with Goi and Liang also serving as executive producers.