Albert Kim, the showrunner for Netflix’s live-action fantasy series Avatar: The Last Airbender, has decided to step down from his role, marking the entrance of the third showrunner as the show moves into its second season. This change comes after Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creators of the original animated Avatar show, departed in 2020. Kim’s departure signifies a significant shift for the series, especially considering the lengthy development process it underwent before its debut on Netflix.
Kim, who led the show through the initial phases and groundwork of season one, expressed his desire for a new challenge after the demanding journey of bringing the beloved series to life. His next venture will see him joining Disney Plus’ Percy Jackson season 2 as an executive producer, in addition to working on other projects with Disney. With Kim’s departure, the responsibility now falls into the hands of co-executive producer Christine Boylan and executive producer Jabbar Raisani, who were handpicked by Kim to carry on the vision of the show.
Christine Boylan, recognized for her work on shows like “Leverage, Castle, Once Upon a Time, The Punisher, Poker Face, and Citadel,” brings a wealth of experience to the team, having been nominated for a Writers Guild of America award for her contributions to Poker Face. She has also showcased her talents in comic book writing for major publishers like Marvel and DC. On the other hand, Jabbar Raisani, who previously served as an executive producer on the first season of Airbender and directed several episodes, brings his expertise to ensure the show continues its success.
The Netflix adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has garnered a mix of reviews, raising concerns about its future amidst its challenging development journey. However, the show has proven to be a hit for Netflix, amassing a significant viewership within days of its release. With 21.2 million initial viewers and a subsequent 19.9 million views in the following week, the series has outperformed expectations, surpassing other popular adaptations like One Piece. While the show’s success indicates a promising outlook, the unpredictable nature of Netflix’s decisions on show renewals leaves its fate uncertain, despite already being confirmed for two more seasons.
Who’s helming The Last Airbender now?
Considering the show’s acclaimed success on the platform, Avatar: The Last Airbender seems to be in good hands for now, with Boylan and Raisani spearheading the upcoming seasons.
