The open casting call for Toph in Netflix’s second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender is making some lovely headlines in the tabloids. Additionally, they’re pioneering inclusivity by encouraging blind or low-vision actors for Toph’s role.
With Season 1 debuting to a torrent of excitement & securing a renewal for additional seasons, this live-action adaptation of the beloved 2005 Nickelodeon series continues to spark conversations—albeit with some trepidation from fans. Remember how Toph’s original character enthralled us with her wit, and, of course, her prodigious earthbending prowess at just 12 years old?
Now, the show’s vision of a “mid-late teen” Toph has spurred a sense of protectiveness amongst die-hard fans. Could this new portrayal of the sassy, confident, and unfiltered Toph—with dance or martial arts skills as a delightful bonus—reshape our perceptions & expectations of the iconic character?
Toph’s Uncertain Fate: Netflix’s Season 2 Casting Draws Ire from Avatar Fans
Less than a month after its February Netflix premiere, Avatar: The Last Airbender—the highly anticipated live-action version of the beloved 2005 Nickelodeon animated series of the same title—was given a two-season renewal, despite the show’s mixed reviews (see BBC).
Recently, the popular streaming platform announced its hunt for the perfect Toph for Season 2. Casting director Jenny Jue put up a casting call via X on Tuesday for the role of Toph, who is described as being in her “mid-late teens, blind, female, Asian” years.
Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender
Open Casting Search for the role of "TOPH" pic.twitter.com/YGjDWHc4du— jenny jue (@jennyjue) June 11, 2024
Additionally, in a post on X, Teresa Huang, the show’s supervising producer, said that she and the team “are determined… to find a young Asian actress who is actually blind or low vision”. She invited anyone who knows someone who has experience in martial arts or dance, even if they have never done so, to send their information:
We're starting our casting search for TOPH! 🫸🏽🪨🫷🏽We are determined (myself especially) to find a young Asian actress who is actually blind or low vision. If you know someone with dance and/or martial arts experience, please forward, even if they've never done any acting before. https://t.co/g0WdjHaIgJ
— Teresa Huang (@teresapalooza) June 11, 2024
Toph, a fan-favorite character from the original animated series, is described as a sassy and confident teenager with formidable earthbending skills. But with great power comes great responsibility, as fans have expressed concerns about the character’s casting call for Season 2.
Many are urging Netflix to cast someone closer to Aang’s age, as Toph was originally introduced as a 12-year-old character in the original animated series (via Men’s Health). Let’s hear a few comments made by fans:
But why does it say mid to late teens 😭 she’s 12. Unless the actors from season 1 have already aged that much but they shouldn’t have
— Dominique (@authorDomW) June 11, 2024
Mid late teens? Shes 12 but I guess she has to match the rest of the other cast that’s growing up and also a possible time jump nvm it makes sense lol
— Jaayde A (@Jaayde_xo) June 12, 2024
If they are blind how are they going to see the casting call
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) June 11, 2024
The whole point of toph is that although she is blind she has great vision through her earthbending. How is an actual blind person supposed to act that? Better get someone vision
— 95xkpp (@95xkpp) June 12, 2024
Good luck making a live action toph. Season 1 casting choices were pretty meh save 1 or 2
— Iccanui (@Iccanui) June 11, 2024
I think representation is going too far when the casting call is literally calling for Toph. I'm surprised they didn't write "being an actual Earthbender a plus".
— ニンフォノムイコン (@bunnytanktreads) June 11, 2024
However, it seems Netflix will stick to their vision of an older, more mature Toph for the live-action adaptation. Regardless, the casting call stated that those who would like to be considered for the role should send an email to DTCOpenCall@gmail.com along with their other contact details.
The Future of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Without Showrunner Albert Kim
With multiple seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender projected to expand the universe of Aang and his friends, there’s a buzz about the innovative twists and turns on the horizon. Variety has reported that showrunner Albert Kim has graciously passed the torch after his commendable tenure.
Stepping in with a fresh vision, Christine Boylan and Jabbar Raisani are set to channel their celebrated expertise to continue the saga’s legacy as they assume control in the forthcoming season. Kim left in an orderly and respectable manner, the report claimed. After several years of working on Avatar: The Last Airbender, he decided to leave the Netflix production to work on other projects.
But don’t worry, Kim isn’t bowing out of the Avatar world but will be conjuring his magic as an executive producer for the second and third seasons. Moreover, the new showrunners are familiar with the show. Boylan co-executive produced the debut season of the Netflix series. Her further credits include Leverage, Off the Map, and Castle. Raisani served as executive producer and director for the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Anyway, if you think you have what it takes to embody the spirit of Toph and bring her to life on screen, don’t hesitate to audition. So, dust off your earthbending moves, perfect your sass, and show Netflix why you should be the one to play Toph in Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is available on Netflix.
