Picture: Avatar: The Last Airbender – Netflix
After an incredible first two weeks on Netflix, the streaming service has confirmed that the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender will return for an additional two seasons: seasons 2 and 3 that’ll round out Aang’s story. Here’s what we know.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is the television live-action adaptation of the Nickelodeon cartoon series of the same name created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
The series has been a long time coming. Netflix first announced in 2018 that a live-action remake of ATLA that would start production in 2019. In the time fans have waited patiently for the series release on Netflix, the original creators left the project due to creative differences, which saw Albert Kim take over the project in 2021 as a writer, executive producer, and showrunner, and an exciting young and talented cast announced.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Renewal Status
Official Renewal Status: Renewed (Last Updated: 06/03/2024)
Just over two weeks after the release of ATLA on Netflix, the streaming service has confirmed that the series will be returning for a second and third season!
Netflix has confirmed that the third season of ATLA will conclude the story. This news shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to fans of the original animated series, which only ran for three seasons. Season 2 will cover the events of Book 2: Earth, while Season 3 will cover the events of Book 3: Fire. We’re told that the renewal is designed to mirror the structure of the animated series.
The cast of the show was given the news via Daniel Dae Kim via Zoom call, where he pranked the rest of the cast on the news that there wouldn’t be a season 2 but rather a season 2 and a season 3!
Before Netflix announced the renewal of Avatar, we already knew some work had begun on at least the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender after discovering the existence of a writer’s room on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn profile for a Writer’s Room Assistant on Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender
How did the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender perform on Netflix?
After amassing 41 million views (CVE- Complete Viewing Equivalent) and 297.6 million hours viewed, the opening two weeks on Netflix for ATLA have been strong.
Compared to other big-budget Netflix shows that were renewed for second seasons, such as One Piece and The Sandman, ATLA is currently tracking to outperform both shows. This news may have come as some surprise if you read Hollywood trade reporting that suggested the show may not get renewed because the show had a drop in viewing hours from weeks 1 to 2. This is completely rubbish, of course, as there’s a lot of shows on Netflix that go onto be renewed that see minor drops in viewing hours.
What can we expect from Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender?
Aang to learn Water and Earth Bending
With Katara as the new Master of Waterbending, Aang will learn everything he needs to know about Waterbending from her on their journey. That means he needs to seek either a Master Firebender or Master Earthbender to develop his Avatar powers further.
Naturally, Aang will think of Bumi to learn Earthbending from, but Team Avatar is unaware that Omashu has fallen to the Fire Nation. So unless they can rescue Bumi, Aang must seek a different Earthbending Master. Fans of the cartoon will know that Aang will run into Toph, a.k.a the Blind Bandit, and a Master Earthbender.
Picture: Gordon Cormier as Aang – Netflix
Will Zuko betray Iroh?
Iroh has been the perfect father figure for Zuko thus far, and the young Firebender is slowly learning more about empathy and humility. However, will Zuko’s resolve to capture Aang be increased further as he watches his sister’s success from afar?
If capturing Aang means casting his uncle aside, will Zuko take that opportunity?
Picture: Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko – Netflix
Katara continues to master Waterbending
Katara has proven to be a Waterbending prodigy and has already been acknowledged as the Master of Waterbending from Pakku. However, as Aang will be her first pupil, there’s still much for Katara to learn on her journey.
Expect to see even more incredible Waterbending mastery from Katara in season 2.
Picture: Kiawentiio as Katara – Netflix
Azula’s deadly ambition
Azula has already proven the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree by showcasing her ambition and conquering the Earth Kingdom city of Omashu.
The last Earth Kingdom stronghold to take on the forces of the Fire Nation is the capital city, Ba Sing Se.
Having proven her tactical prowess, Azula will have Ba Sing Se set firmly in her sights.
Picture: Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula – Netflix
What is the production status of Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2?
Official Production Status: In Development (Last Updated: 06/03/2024)
At the time of writing, there are no filming dates for the second season of ATLA.
With renewal confirmed for the third season, we assume that filming for the second and third seasons of the series will occur back-to-back. However, nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
We expect to learn more soon.
Who is in the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2?
We expect all of the following cast members to return and reprise their roles in ATLA season 2;
- Gordon Cormier as Aang
- Kiawentiio as Katara
- Ian Ousley as Sokka
- Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko
- Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh
- Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai
- Elizabeth Yu as Azula
- Ken Leung as Commander Zhao
- Ruy Iskandar as Lietenant Jee
- Thalia Tran as Mai
- Momona Tamada as Ty Lee
We’re yet to learn of any news cast members for the upcoming second season, particularly the casting of earthbender Toph Beifong.
Picture: Toph Beifong, an Earthbender – Nickelodeon Animation Studios
When could we expect a second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix?
At the time of publishing, we are likely a year or two away from learning the official release date for the second season of ATLA.
Using the first season’s production as the benchmark for the second season’s release, fans could wait until the second half of 2026 for ATLA to return. This is because there was a 27-month gap between the start of filming the first season (November 16th, 2021) and its subsequent release (February 22nd, 2024). Assuming production is to begin sometime in 2024, and if production is equally lengthy, this backs our speculation of the Q3/Q4 2026 release.
Filming for the second season must start as soon as possible, as the longer it goes on, the faster Gordon Cormier, Aang’s actor, outgrows the role.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: Gordon Cormier arrives at Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” World Premiere Event at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on February 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Are you excited for a second and third season of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix?