Netflix’s live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) is a remake and bit of a remix of the beloved 2005 animated classic. In it, a young airbender named Aang is the last of his people and is tasked with saving the world from the hawkish Fire Nation.
This eight-episode series endeavors to encapsulate the essence of the original’s 20-episode first season. Featuring a distinguished ensemble cast including Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio Tarbell, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Daniel Dae Kim, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Yvonne Chapman, Netflix’s ATLA breathes new life into the beloved tale.
Cold Tea Collective’s Natasha Jung met with Yvonne Chapman, delving into her experience of embracing the iconic role of Avatar Kyoshi and exploring her connection with the character.
Earth: Passion and pressure
The original ATLA series stands as a paragon in television, acclaimed for its adept handling of themes like genocide, war, and cultural conflict in an animated medium designed for children. With a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 99% audience score, the original series, and its sequel, The Legend of Korra, have left an indelible mark.
In 2010, a live-action film faced universal criticism, with the fanbase humorously denying its existence. When Netflix announced the 2024 spin, apprehensive fans feared another letdown.
Chapman, acknowledging the intent behind the Netflix adaptation, remarked, “All of them had such a passion for the source material and wanted to honor that to the best that they could.”
Her character, Kyoshi, towers 7 feet tall, possesses physical dominance and a straightforward demeanor. As the Avatar with the longest lifespan—230 years—she has become a fan favorite, celebrated for her portrayal as a formidable, bisexual warrior with a stern and aggressive personality. Notably, Kyoshi has her own spinoff novels, The Rise of Kyoshi and…
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