For Gabriel Prevost-Takahashi, joining Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender wasn’t just another acting job, it was the realization of a dream years in the making.
The actor, who appears as Khettry in the highly anticipated new season, spoke with SpoilerTV about becoming part of one of television’s most beloved fantasy worlds, how his experience on Shōgun helped shape his performance, and the careful preparation that went into bringing a new defender of Ba Sing Se to life.
As a longtime fan of the original animated series, Prevost-Takahashi admitted landing the role felt like a full-circle moment. “Being such a fan of the show… to manifest it and for it to come true was full circle to me. It’s a good reminder to follow your dreams and just keep going at it.”
For the Japanese-Canadian actor, joining a franchise celebrated for its Asian-inspired world and cast also carried personal significance, describing it as a career goal he had hoped to achieve.
A New Face in Ba Sing Se
Without venturing into spoiler territory, Prevost-Takahashi offered fans an intriguing glimpse at Khettry, a protector stationed on Ba Sing Se’s outer wall. According to the actor, Khettry is a man caught between duty and conscience, trying to protect the city’s people while navigating conflicting orders from those above him. When outside forces begin disrupting life in Ba Sing Se, those loyalties are put to the test.
He was understandably careful not to reveal too much, but he did hint that viewers should keep a close eye on the character. “There may be some undercover things that happen with Khettry,” he teased with a smile.
It’s exactly the kind of answer that suggests Khettry could end up playing a bigger role than audiences initially expect.
Bringing Shōgun Into the World of Avatar
One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation was hearing how Prevost-Takahashi drew from his work on the Emmy-winning Shōgun when preparing for Avatar: The Last Airbender. The sword training, physical discipline, and movement required for Shōgun translated naturally into the martial arts-inspired action of Avatar: The Last Airbender, allowing him to build on techniques rooted in Japanese culture.
His preparation didn’t stop there.
To find Khettry’s emotional core, he looked to another fantasy epic: Game of Thrones. Specifically, he cited Rory McCann’s fan-favorite character, The Hound, as an inspiration, a seemingly intimidating warrior whose fierce exterior hides a deeply protective nature.
Music also played a major role in his process. Prevost-Takahashi revealed he immersed himself in orchestral scores and traditional Japanese music to help create the mindset needed for the role, crafting what he described as a vivid internal “world” before stepping onto set.
Representation and Storytelling
While much of the interview focused on Avatar: The Last Airbender, Prevost-Takahashi also reflected on how projects like Avatar and Shōgun have strengthened his appreciation for his Japanese heritage and reinforced his passion for telling stories inspired by Asian history and culture.
Beyond acting, he continues developing projects through his production company, including a passion project centered on the Japanese American, Korean American, and Chinese American soldiers who fought during World War II—stories he believes deserve far wider recognition.
He even revealed that working on Avatar led to conversations with executive producer and star Daniel Dae Kim, someone he hopes to collaborate with on those stories in the future.
More in the Full Interview
Our full conversation with Gabriel Prevost-Takahashi goes beyond Avatar: The Last Airbender, covering his experience working alongside Hiroyuki Sanada on Shōgun, the lessons he learned living in both Japan and Canada, his filmmaking ambitions, and the acting philosophy that continues to shape his career.
If you’re excited to explore Ba Sing Se in the new season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.
Watch our full interview with Gabriel Prevost-Takahashi now on the SpoilerTV YouTube channel, where he shares even more behind-the-scenes stories, insights into his character, and what’s next in his rapidly growing career. Click the link to watch.