Summary
Netflix’sAvatar: The Last Airbenderseason 2 issues an open casting call for a prominent character from the original series. The live-action adaptation of the hit Nickelodeon animated series of the same name proved to be a viewership success, prompting Netflix to renew it for its final two seasons. Given that it will adapt Books 2 and 3 of the animated series, viewers have some idea of whatAvatar: The Last Airbenderseason 2will hold and what characters it will introduce. Now, the show is officially casting one of the most highly anticipated characters in the series.
Casting directorJenny Jueshared a casting call on X, formerly Twitter, revealing thatAvatar: The Last Airbenderseason 2 has officially begun its search for an actor to portray Toph Beifong.
The casting call included a brief description of Toph and her personality. She is described as a"mid-late teens, blind, female, Asian.“Personality-wise, the casting call highlights her"sassy"confidence and her determination to let the"fierce warrior"within her be free.The casting call also encouragedindividuals who are blind or low vision to audition for the role.
Will Avatar: The Last Airbender Stay True To The Original Toph?
Netflix’s Avatar Is Facing Pressure To Get Toph Right
While it won’t be clear how closely the live-action Toph matches the originalAvatar: The Last Airbendercharacteruntil season 2 premieres, the casting call does reveal a few interesting details about the show’s plans for her. In the animated series, Toph quickly arose as one of the most powerful and important members of Team Avatar. However, she isn’t introduced until Book 2. As a result, the live-action show stayed true to this detail and refrained from including her in season 1.Given Toph’s popularity,there is added pressure for the show to get her casting right.
Avatar: The Last Airbender’s casting call for Toph demonstrates it will at least attempt to authentically represent her. Season 1 did a phenomenal job selecting actors that represented the Asian influence highlighted in the original series. Now,it seems season 2 may continue pushing for authentic casting by seeking a blind actor to portray Toph. In addition to seeking an actor who can reflect Toph’s experience with blindness, the casting call description of her personality bodes well for the show capturing her signature sarcasm and sass.
How Old Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Cast Is Compared To Their Characters
The trailers for Netflix’s The Last Airbender reveal the show’s main cast, raising the question of how old they are compared to their characters.
The only deviation from the source material in the casting call is Toph’s age. It describes her as"mid-late teens,“although she is 12 in the original series. While viewers hoped for an age-accurate casting, aging her up was likely unavoidable. The show can’t prevent its live-action cast from aging, meaning seasons 2 and 3 will see Team Avatar in their mid-late teens. Hence, aging Toph allows her to still be in the same age group as her friends. Aside from the minor adjustment,Avatar: The Last Airbenderappears to be staying true to the original Toph.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Cast
Avatar: The Last Airbender follows a young boy, the Avatar, who embarks on a quest to master the four elemental powers. Tasked with saving a world engulfed in war, he must confront a relentless adversary determined to thwart his mission.
