If you’ve ever wondered how the actors behind Aang and Zuko compare across the original animated series and the Netflix live-action adaptation, you’re not alone. The original series ran for 61 episodes from 2005 to 2008, and the Netflix version dropped all eight episodes of Season 1 in February 2024. This guide breaks down exactly who plays each major character in both versions, with the source facts you need to keep the casts straight.

4 related posts

Original series year: 2005–2008 · Original episodes: 61 · Netflix live-action episodes: 8 (Season 1) · Main original voice cast: 5 actors

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether a second season of the Netflix series has been officially greenlit as of early 2025
  • Exact minor supporting cast for future seasons of the Netflix series
3Timeline signal
  • 2005 – Original series premiered on Nickelodeon (Wikipedia)
  • 2018 – Netflix announced live-action adaptation (Wikipedia)
  • 2021 – Main cast of Netflix series announced (Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu) (Business Insider)
  • February 2024 – Netflix live-action series released (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Netflix has not yet officially renewed for Season 2
  • If renewed, new casting announcements for characters from later books are expected
  • Original voice actors have not been reported to return in any capacity

The snapshot shows a clean break: every original voice actor is absent from the live-action, making the Netflix series a total recast.

Five facts about the casts, one pattern: no actor from the original series appears in the live-action version — every role was recast from scratch.

Label Value
Original series premiered 2005
Netflix series premiered 2024
Original voice cast total main 5 actors
Netflix cast main leads 3 young leads + supporting adults
Common actors across versions None (new recasts)
Original episodes 61
Netflix episodes (Season 1) 8

The implication: the live-action is a total reset, not a reunion — a deliberate creative choice that distances the new series from the animated one.

Who is in the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix?

Gordon Cormier as Aang

Gordon Cormier, a young actor known for The Stand, takes on the role of Aang in the Netflix live-action series (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series). Cormier was part of the main cast announced in 2021.

Kiawentiio as Katara

Kiawentiio, an Indigenous actress from Canada, plays Katara (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series). Her casting brought a new energy to the Water Tribe characters.

Ian Ousley as Sokka

Ian Ousley portrays Sokka, the non-bending joker of Team Avatar (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series). Ousley’s Sokka leans into the humor and growing responsibility of the character.

Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai

Daniel Dae Kim, a veteran actor known for Lost and Hawaii Five-0, plays the main antagonist Fire Lord Ozai (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series).

The upshot

Daniel Dae Kim is the only cast member with deep ties to Asian-American representation in Hollywood, adding weight to Ozai’s role as the fire-nation tyrant.

Why this matters: The Netflix cast replaces a completely non-Asian original voice cast with actors who reflect the ethnic backgrounds of the four nations — a shift that aligns with modern casting standards.

What is the cast of the original animated series?

Zach Tyler Eisen as Aang

Zach Tyler Eisen provided the voice of the 12-year-old Avatar Aang across all three seasons of the original series (Wikipedia page for Aang). Eisen did not return for any follow-up projects.

Mae Whitman as Katara

Mae Whitman, later well-known for Parenthood and Good Girls, voiced Katara in all 61 episodes (Wikipedia page for Katara).

Jack DeSena as Sokka

Jack DeSena voiced the sarcastic and brave Sokka from 2005 to 2008 (Wikipedia page for Sokka).

Dante Basco as Prince Zuko

Dante Basco voiced the conflicted Fire Nation prince Zuko (Wikipedia page for Zuko). Basco became a fan-favorite for his emotional range and distinctive delivery.

The trade-off

None of these original voice actors appear in the Netflix series — meaning the emotional anchor of the original performances is entirely absent from the live-action version.

The pattern: the original cast was predominantly white, while the Netflix cast was selected to match the Asian and Indigenous ethnicities of the characters — a reflection of changing industry standards.

Who plays Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender?

Dante Basco in the original series

Dante Basco brought Zuko to life in the original animated series with a performance that spanned from villain to redeemed hero (Wikipedia). Basco has spoken publicly about passing the torch to Dallas Liu.

Passing the role to Dallas Liu felt like handing over a family heirloom, Basco said in an interview about the Netflix adaptation.

Dallas Liu in the Netflix series

Dallas Liu plays Zuko in the live-action series (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series). Liu, known for Pen15, brings a physical intensity to the role.

The implication: the transition from Basco’s voice acting to Liu’s on-screen performance marks the most closely watched recast of the entire production.

Who plays Suki and Jet in Avatar: The Last Airbender?

Suki: voiced by Jennie Kwan (original) / Maria Zhang (Netflix)

Jennie Kwan voiced Suki, the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, in the original series (Wikipedia page for Suki). In the Netflix series, the role is played by Maria Zhang (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series).

Jet: voiced by Crawford Wilson (original) / Sebastian Amoruso (Netflix)

Crawford Wilson originally voiced the Freedom Fighter leader Jet (Wikipedia page for Jet). Sebastian Amoruso takes over the role in the Netflix adaptation (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series).

Why this matters: Both Suki and Jet are characters with dedicated fanbases, and their recasting ensures the live-action can be judged on its own merits.

Who plays Yue in the 2024 live-action series?

Yue cast in the live-action version

Amber Midthunder plays Princess Yue in the Netflix series. Midthunder, known for Legion and Prey, brings a new gravitas to the character who sacrifices her mortal form to become the Moon Spirit.

The catch: Yue’s role in the animated series was voiced by Johanna Braddy, but the live-action recast underlines the total changeover in talent.

Timeline of the Avatar: The Last Airbender cast

  • 2005: Original animated series premiered on Nickelodeon with Zach Tyler Eisen as Aang, Mae Whitman as Katara, Jack DeSena as Sokka, Dante Basco as Zuko.
  • 2008: Original series ended after 61 episodes.
  • 2018: Netflix announced live-action adaptation.
  • 2021: Main cast of Netflix series announced – Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Dallas Liu as Zuko.
  • February 2024: Netflix live-action series released with all 8 episodes.

The timeline confirms that from announcement to release, the live-action series took about six years to reach screens, with a full recasting from the original voice actors.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Gordon Cormier plays Aang in Netflix series (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series)
  • Zach Tyler Eisen voiced Aang in original series (Wikipedia page for Aang)
  • Dante Basco voiced Zuko in original series (Wikipedia page for Zuko)
  • Dallas Liu plays Zuko in Netflix series (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series)
  • Kiawentiio plays Katara in Netflix series (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series)
  • Paul Sun-Hyung Lee plays Iroh (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series)
  • Daniel Dae Kim plays Ozai (Wikipedia page for the 2024 series)

What’s unclear

  • Whether a second season of the Netflix series has been officially greenlit as of early 2025
  • Exact minor supporting cast for future seasons of the Netflix series

The confirmed facts leave no ambiguity: the live-action cast is wholly separate from the original voice actors.

“Playing Aang is a huge responsibility — I want to honor the character that so many people love.”

Gordon Cormier, speaking to Netflix Tudum

“Iroh is a role that requires deep wisdom and warmth. I hope I can live up to the legacy of Mako and Greg Baldwin.”

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, in a press interview

For fans deciding whether to watch the Netflix series, the choice is clear: if you want a fresh interpretation with modern casting and visual effects, the live-action delivers — but if you’re looking for the voices of your childhood, you’ll find none of the original voice actors — not Zach Tyler Eisen, not Dante Basco, not Mae Whitman — here.

Related reading: Cast of Point Break (1991): Full List, Trivia, Behind-the-Scenes · Cast of the Help (Film) – Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer & More

Additional sources

youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com

Fans interested in how the original voice actors stack up against the Netflix newcomers should see the latest cast comparisons for a detailed head-to-head breakdown.

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Frequently asked questions

Will the original voice actors appear in the Netflix series?

No. None of the original voice actors from the animated series appear in the Netflix live-action series. Every role was recast.

How many seasons is the Netflix Avatar series planned for?

As of early 2025, Netflix has not officially renewed the series for a second season. The first season covers the first book of the original series.

Why was Mako not in the original cast for Iroh?

Mako Iwamatsu, the original voice of Iroh, voiced the character in Season 1 and part of Season 2. He passed away in 2006, and Greg Baldwin took over the role for the remaining episodes.

Who replaced Mako as the voice of Iroh?

Greg Baldwin, a voice actor who studied under Mako, voiced Iroh for the rest of the animated series after Mako’s death.

Is there a cast for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2?

No official cast has been announced for a potential second season, as Netflix has not yet confirmed renewal. If renewed, new actors will likely be cast for characters like Toph.

Are the original voice actors coming back for the movie?

Paramount has announced animated films set in the Avatar universe. It is not known whether original voice actors will reprise their roles.

Who plays Appa and Momo in the original series?

Appa, the flying bison, is primarily vocalized through sound effects created by the show’s sound designers. Momo, the flying lemur, also uses vocal effects and occasional gibberish provided by voice actors.