Cobra Kai’s Tamlyn Tomita cast in canon divergent Avatar: The Last Airbender role

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Netflix’s latest adaptation of a beloved kids show is a highly anticipated release on the streamer. The upcoming original series has had the internet buzzing since it was first announced.

However, there’s been some apprehension about what direction the streamer could take its live-action adaptation especially in the face of the cartoon’s co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko pulling out of the project as both executive producers and showrunners.

The news came with the reveal that the two had parted ways with Netflix over creative differences concerning the series and a work environment that wasn’t as collaborative as they’d hoped.

There’s been speculation that the streamer’s version of the show could be geared toward a more mature audience instead of keeping the series as one intended for older children.

Some of that speculation was squashed thanks to the first cast announcements which included child and young adult actors in the lead roles. But ships may yet be on the line if the live-action does flirt with the popular fan ship, Zutara (Zuko and Katara), and make them a contender for endgame.

Sorry, Kataang shippers. While we aren’t saying Katara and Aang won’t embark on their endgame canon romance by the end of the series, we’re not ruling out a potential breakaway from canon either despite the fact that it would certainly ruffle feathers.

Speaking of breaks from canon, the latest cast updates will have die-hard fans wondering what to make of an addition to the series who wasn’t in the original cartoon. The character, played by Cobra Kai‘s Tamlyn Tomita, is related to a fan favorite and could hint to a change in dynamic on Kyoshi Island.

Here’s what we know!

Who will Tamlyn Tomita play in Avatar: The Last Airbender?

Tomita has been cast in the role of Yukari. She’s described by Deadline as “Suki’s mother and the fiercely protective mayor of her small village on Kyoshi Island.”

In the original Avatar: The Last Airbender, Suki is the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, a fighting force primarily comprised of girls and women. Aang, Katara, and Sokka come across the group when they visit Kyoshi Island.

As far as Suki’s position goes in the Netflix adaptation, she’ll remain the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors with Maria Zhang taking up the role of the fierce fighter.

However, the inclusion of her mother means we’re in for some backstory and perhaps a greater exploration of Kyoshi Island, its inhabitants, leaders, and the warriors as well.

While this is a change to the cartoon, it does look like Suki fans could be in for a real treat with her character as she’s fleshed out in the live-action.

We’ll keep you posted on more Avatar: The Last Airbender news as it comes in. Stay tuned to Netflix Life!