Avatar: The Last Airbender’s mixed reviews mean nothing as Netflix renews hit fantasy show for two more seasons
Yip yip, Appa!
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Netflix has renewed its live-action adaptation ofAvatar: The Last Airbender(A:TLA) for two more seasons.
The incredibly popular fantasy show, which launched on February 22 after mixed reviews from critics, is set to return afterNetflixdecided to renew it for not one, but two more entries. Just like its animated counterpart,Avatar: The Last Airbender,seasons 2 and 3 will bring Aang’s journey to a close, too, with the hit series' next two instalments expected to cover the Book of Earth and Book of Fire – aka the second and third seasons of the Nickelodeon show – respectively.
Netflix hasn’t confirmed how many episodes it’ll make for seasons 2 and 3, nor has it revealed any other details, such as possible new cast additions or when filming will start. Speaking toEntertainment Weeklyahead of the show’s release, though, show runner Albert Kim hinted that a possible second season had already been outlined during its predecessor’s production. It’s possible, then, that filming on season 2 (or both seasons, if they’re shot back-to-back) could begin before 2024 ends.
Bending audiences to its will
The Avatar will return!! Seasons 2 & 3 of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER are coming! pic.twitter.com/NDxSDP7kZEMarch 6, 2024
A:TLA’s renewal won’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s closely followed its success on the world’sbest streaming service. Six days after all eight episodes premiered on Netflix,Avatar: The Last Airbenderwas confirmed to be a Netflix hit, with 21.2 million people tuning in to see what all of the fuss was about. It followed that up with another 19.9 million views a week later, withNetflix’s Top 10 TV chartrevealing today (March 6) that the Gordon Cormier-starring series was the most-watched show on Netflix for the second week running. In total,A:TLAhas become Netflix’s number one show in 76 countries.
Given its considerable popularity worldwide, plus the fact it’s proven to be a bigger success story thanOne Piece– Netflix’s other fan-favorite live-action anime adaptation – it was only a matter of time beforeA:TLAwas renewed. The fact that it’s been so popular despite its middling reviews – in ourAvatar: The Last Airbenderreview, we called it “a largely pleasing homage to the original series and frequently entertaining but is undermined by superfluous alterations and an unmistakable identity crisis” – is all the more impressive. If season 1’s follow-ups prove just as popular (if not more so) than it was, I wouldn’t be amazed if Netflix decides to remakeThe Legend of Korra,A:TLA’s sequel show, as well.
If, like us, you were unimpressed by Netflix’s take onA:TLA, you shouldcheck out these five exciting fantasy shows instead. Alternatively, I’d recommend reading ourbest Netflix showsguide, which houses 50 of the greatest TV series that I consider to be must-see television.
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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
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