The ‘Harry Potter’ Star Who Voices a Main Character in ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Season 1
The Nickelodeon original Avatar: The Last Airbender recently hit Netflix, bringing old-time fans back for some reminiscence and welcoming new fans to its fantasy world. The Last Airbender is jam-packed with high-octane fight sequences, spiritual enlightenment, moral dilemmas, and more. It’s an animated series with mature themes presented in a fashion digestible for children — thanks to the brilliant minds behind the production (Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino).
Given the show’s genius writing, it should come as no surprise that Nickelodeon managed to snag some top-tier talent to serve as voice actors. One of the primary characters in season 1 also happens to be a significant Harry Potter star. Remember Lucius Malfoy?
Jason Isaacs voices Admiral Zhao in ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’
For years on end, Jason Isaacs portrayed the infamous Death Eather Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter saga. He was one of Lord Voldemort’s devout followers and the father to the spoiled Draco.
Lucius Malfoy was a threat to Potter and all those who dared to stand in the Dark Lord’s way. He was a villain willing to go quite far — take unthinkable action and cast unforgivable spells — in the service of He Who Must Not Be Named. Yet, when push came to shove toward the end of the saga, the Malfoys went running away from the battle. From years as Lucius, Isaacs has vast experience playing baddies — that intimidating look and deep voice go a long way.
Isaacs also played Captain Hook in the 2003 Peter Pan. It should come as no surprise that he took on a bad guy in Avatar: The Last Airbender. He played Admiral Zhao in the show’s premiere season.
All about Isaacs’ Admiral Zhao from ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’
Zhao was the leader of the Fire Nation Navy for a brief period in early 100 AG, as Avatar.Fandom notes. He was one of the Fire Nation’s most powerful benders who climbed the Navy ranks — from lieutenant to captain to commander, and finally to admiral.
Zhao took it upon himself to capture and defeat Avatar Aang in season one, which made the character Zuko’s fierce rival. Since Zuko needed to capture the Avatar to reclaim his dignity and status in the Fire Nation, Zhao and he were not amicable (to say the least).
Zhao killed the Moon Spirit and the Spirit Oasis without any sense of regret. He was a heartless and amoral destroyer, and Jason Isaacs brought all that villainy and hatred seen in Harry Potter to The Last Airbender.
