Today, we at Knight Edge Media have exclusively learned from several sources that showrunner Albert Kim (Nikita, Sleepy Hollow) has stepped away from Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series. This report comes only a month after the show was renewed for two more seasons by the streaming service. Albert Kim will move into an executive producer role as the series continues with a new showrunner. Kim has been part of the live-action series since January 2020, when original creators and showrunners Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino personally hired him for their writer’s room. The original duo were the first to leave the live-action adaptation in June 2020 due to “creative differences” with Netflix. Kim also joined the creative crew of Percy Jackson & The Olympians last year for season 2.
We have also learned that screenwriter Christine Boylan (Punisher, Cloak & Dagger) has taken over as showrunner from Kim. Boylan wrote episode 3 of the first season, “Omashu.” She has been attached to the series since the writers’ room for season 2 was formed in early 2023. In a press release, Netflix officially confirmed Christine Boylan’s position and revealed that Jabbar Raisani (Stranger Things) will also serve as producing director alongside Boylan. Raisani directed episodes 3 & 4 during season 1 and served as VFX supervisor throughout season 1.
With Kim exiting the series, it is assumed that his daughter and fellow screenwriter, Emily Kim (Quantum Leap), may not return either. This is a shame, considering she helped co-write the best episode of the first season, episode 6, “Masks.” It’s also unknown if director and frequent Albert Kim-collaborator Michael Goi (American Horror Story) will return for the next two seasons now that Kim has stepped away. There is no set production date for season 2, but it was expected to start later this year. Due to the actor’s ages, Netflix will film both season 2 and season 3 back-to-back. There’s a possibility that production will also move out of Vancouver, though not confirmed. We have also been notified that Netflix may give each subsequent season a lower episode count to increase the number of views each season receives. However, this is also not set in stone just yet.
Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has no set release date
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