Miya Cech will be playing the earth-bender Toph in the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Images: Netflix, Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Miya Cech will be taking on the role of the earthbending master Toph Beifong in the live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” with its second season already kicking off production.
Cech’s casting was announced in a streaming platform’s Tudum page, where the Japanese-Chinese-American actress was chosen after “thousands upon thousands” of auditionees.
The actress, who has long been a fan of the original animated series, shared that she wasn’t fully informed which role she auditioned for, since she tested for the role with “dummy sides with different names and storylines.”
“Unlike some of the actors in Season 1, I did know that I was auditioning for Toph, even though the audition material had dummy sides with different names and storylines,” she said.
“I had two taped auditions, a taped callback, and two in-person auditions with the casting team and producers, including a chemistry read with Gordon,” she was quoted as saying.
Cech also took to her Instagram account on Friday, Sept. 20 to announce her new milestone.
“I’ve spent the past 5 years hoping for just the opportunity to audition for the role of Toph (and twice as long being a fan of the original ATLA series). I’m still pinching myself,” she wrote.
“Thank you to @netflix and my amazing cast mates who have welcomed me into this family with open arms. I can’t believe that I’m actually saying these words — I. Am. Melon. Lord.”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@miyacech
Based on the original animated series, Toph is a blind earthbending master who discovered metalbending at some point in her journey.
She taught Aang how to earth bend in his quest to take down Fire Lord Ozai.
Filming for the live-action series’ seasons two and three has started filming, although details on its premiere dates are yet to be announced.
The cast of the live-action “Avatar” includes Filipino-Canadian Gordon Cormier (Aang), Kiawentiio (Katara), Dallas Liu (Prince Zuko), Ian Ousley (Sokka), Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Uncle Iroh) and Daniel Dae Kim (Fire Lord Ozai).