Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has officially cast Toph Beifong, but the decision highlights the platform’s inconsistency in championing diversity and inclusivity. Critics argue that instead of being true innovators in representation, Netflix tends to mislead its audience.
On September 20, 2024, Netflix announced that the production for season two of Avatar: The Last Airbender is in progress and finally unveiled Miya Cech as the actress portraying Toph Beifong, a character immensely loved by fans of the animated series.
Toph Beifong is a formidable earth bender who plays a crucial role in training Avatar Aang and assisting him in his battle against Firelord Ozai. The character made an appearance in the final season of The Legend of Korra, which served as a follow-up to the original series.
Meet Toph, played by Miya Cech in Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2. #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/fp1iwSsVLD
— Avatar: The Last Airbender (@AvatarNetflix) September 20, 2024
Miya Cech, at just 17 years old, is already a recognized young talent with numerous credits in television and film. However, the choice to not cast an actress with a visual impairment is critiqued as a significant oversight by Netflix, raising questions about their commitment to genuine inclusivity and representation.
Netflix’s History of Uniformity
Netflix has garnered a reputation for launching shows that feature diverse and inclusive casts, only to cancel them after a single season. For instance, in 2022, the platform faced backlash for canceling Warrior Nun, a series celebrated for its LGBTQ+ representation.
Additionally, one of Netflix’s most popular shows, Atypical, was canceled after four seasons, despite its focus on the life of Sam, a young man navigating his experiences with autism. Although the series included autism spectrum actors in secondary roles, the lead, Keir Gilchrist, does not fall on the spectrum, a choice that was met with considerable criticism for diminishing authentic representation.
These concerns about representation have persisted throughout the series’ run.
Avoid Misleading Your Audience
It is perplexing that a prominent platform like Netflix believes it is still acceptable to lure audiences with promises of unique stories while not allowing authentic voices to tell those stories. The failure to cast a visually impaired actor for Toph Beifong only deepens the belief that Netflix lacks a genuine commitment to inclusive storytelling.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 is officially in production! #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/PgpHleIHcU
— Avatar: The Last Airbender (@AvatarNetflix) September 20, 2024
Toph is cherished for her resilience, loyalty, and courage, making her one of the most formidable benders in the Avatar universe. Despite being a Nickelodeon series, the original Avatar launched conversations around the themes of underestimation and bias, contributing to its popularity.
Toph’s visual impairment is a significant aspect of her character, representing strength rather than limitation. As a young woman seeking her place in the world, encountering media that empowers viewers to embrace their strengths and appreciate their uniqueness is invaluable.
Netflix’s failure to grasp this critical narrative element is both disappointing and unsurprising. They must reevaluate their approach, or they risk becoming one of the few major studios disconnected from evolving standards in representation.
Consequences for Netflix
Alaqua Cox’s portrayal of Maya Lopez in Echo has garnered critical acclaim, despite it being her first acting role.
In early 2024, Disney introduced Echo, focused on Maya Lopez, a deaf Native American antihero navigating the conflicts with Kingpin and Marvel’s iconic characters. Alaqua Cox, also Native American and hearing-impaired, generated buzz with her portrayal in Hawkeye and Echo even though they were her debut roles.
Critics and fans have praised her performances, particularly those who resonate with her identity as an artist. Having actors who can genuinely connect with their characters should be an expectation, not a bonus.
The trend of Netflix opting for convenient casting choices over authenticity may exacerbate calls for boycotts against the service. While the network had an opportunity to foster inclusivity by casting an actor with visual impairment in the role of Toph, its failure to do so has left many disheartened—a sentiment that is likely to persist.
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