Avatar: The Last Airbender is gearing up for its second season with a change in leadership. Albert Kim, the third showrunner to take the reins from creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, is stepping down from the Netflix live-action series. Co-executive producer Christine Boylan and exec producer Jabbar Raisani, both brought on board by Kim, will now lead the show as its third showrunners for the upcoming second and third seasons.
Sources indicate that Kim's primary goal was to establish the groundwork for the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender after stepping into the shoes of the franchise's beloved creators. With the series' lengthy production timeline — Netflix greenlit the project in 2018, the original creators departed in late 2020, and the show premiered in February 2024 — Kim is reportedly ready to explore new opportunities.
Despite his departure, Kim will retain his credit as an exec producer on the show and is expected to pursue a development deal with Disney's 20th Television. His future endeavors include joining the Disney+ series Percy Jackson as an exec producer alongside Jon Steinberg, Dan Shotz, and Craig Silverstein.
Boylan, known for her work on shows like Leverage, Castle, and The Punisher, will now step into the role of showrunner for Avatar: The Last Airbender. She brings a wealth of experience, having been nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award and having written comics for major publishers like Marvel and DC.
Raisani, who previously served as an exec producer and director on the show, will continue in his role as an exec producer. The series features a talented cast including Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Ken Leung, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Daniel Dae Kim.
Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender received mixed reviews, with critics offering a lukewarm reception while audiences were more favorable. The show's Rotten Tomatoes score currently stands at 60 percent among critics and 74 percent among viewers.
Following its debut, Netflix swiftly renewed the series for two additional seasons, bringing Avatar: The Last Airbender to a close with its third and final season, mirroring the trajectory of the original animated show.
