Avatar: Fire and Ash cast: Every character featured in the epic sci-fi and the actors behind them

With Avatar: Fire and Ash, James Cameron delivers the third chapter in his long-running Pandora saga, continuing the story of Jake Sully and his family as the stakes rise both emotionally and politically. The film explores grief, fractured alliances, and the consequences of survival in a world still under siege.

While the visual scale remains immense, the heart of Avatar: Fire and Ash lies in its characters, many of whom are pushed into unfamiliar territory by loss and moral conflict.

As with every film in the franchise, performance capture plays a central role in bringing these characters to life. And with Avatar: Fire and Ash now available in theatres, audiences will see a mix of returning franchise anchors and major new additions who expand Pandora’s mythology while grounding the spectacle in human emotion.

Cast details for Avatar: Fire and Ash explored

• Sam Worthington as Jake Sully: Sam Worthington once again leads the franchise as Jake Sully, the former human Marine who permanently transferred his consciousness into a Na’vi body. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Jake is no longer learning how to lead, he is dealing with the consequences of leadership, particularly after the death of his eldest son, Neteyam. Known outside Avatar for Terminator Salvation and Clash of the Titans, Worthington delivers one of his most restrained performances yet. Speaking to Variety about returning to the role, Worthington emphasized that the acting process has remained consistent despite evolving technology, saying:

“My job in the performance capture, the acting part, that’s been the same. It’s just pure acting with another person.” 

• Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri: Zoe Saldaña returns as Neytiri, whose grief has hardened into anger following Neteyam’s death. Her rage places her at odds with both humans and members of her own family, especially Spider. Neytiri’s internal struggle becomes one of the film’s emotional pillars, showing how trauma reshapes belief systems. In an interview with Beyond Noise, Saldaña described performance capture as “the most empowering form of acting,” explaining that it allows actors “to own 100% of our performance on screen.” She highlighted the physical demands of the role, from martial arts to free diving, stressing that “that’s all us,” reinforced by Cameron’s commitment to honoring actors. Saldaña’s previous notable work includes Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and Emilia Pérez.
• Sigourney Weaver as Kiri: Sigourney Weaver plays Kiri, the spiritually gifted daughter of Grace Augustine’s avatar, whose connection to Eywa continues to deepen. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Kiri’s abilities expand beyond intuition. Weaver also appears as Grace in spiritual form, reinforcing the character’s lasting influence. According to Weaver in a Variety interview, the film’s environmental themes align closely with her real-world advocacy. She noted that the story reflects “what corporations and humans are willing to do to their fellow creatures,” adding that the message is about recognizing that “these creatures are equal citizens of our world." Weaver is best known for Gorillas in the Mist, Working Girl, Snow White: A Tale of Terror, Chappie, Alien and Aliens, and Finding Dory.
• Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch: Stephen Lang reprises his role as Colonel Miles Quaritch, now fully embodied as a recombinant Na’vi. Still driven by revenge against Jake Sully, Quaritch faces a new complication: his biological connection to Spider. That relationship forces moments of uneasy cooperation and internal conflict, giving the antagonist unexpected depth. Lang’s career spans Broadway and films like Don’t Breathe and Gettysburg.
• Oona Chaplin as Varang: Oona Chaplin joins the franchise as Varang, leader of the Mangkwan, or Ash People, a volcanic Na’vi clan that rejects Eywa after enduring catastrophic loss. Varang represents a different response to trauma than the Sullys, one rooted in survival at any cost. Discussing the character during casting coverage, late producer Jon Landau explained that “oftentimes, people don’t see themselves as bad,” emphasizing that Varang’s actions stem from circumstances rather than cruelty. Chaplin is best known for her roles in TV series such as Game of Thrones and Taboo.
• Kate Winslet as Ronal: Kate Winslet returns as Ronal te Natsira Tan'ite, a fierce free diver of the Metkayina clan who remains pregnant as Avatar: Fire and Ash begins. In comments to Empire, Winslet described Ronal as “strong” and “a warrior,” noting that even with an unborn child, she continues to fight for her people. Winslet’s collaboration with Cameron dates back to Titanic.
• Cliff Curtis as Tonowari: Cliff Curtis portrays Tonowari, the leader of the Metkayina, whose decision to shelter the Sully family places his clan at risk. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Tonowari must balance diplomacy, survival, and leadership under mounting pressure. Curtis, known for Whale Rider and Fear the Walking Dead, brings quiet authority to the role.
• Edie Falco as General Frances Ardmore: Edie Falco returns as General Ardmore, the RDA commander overseeing military operations on Pandora. Ardmore represents institutional power rather than personal vendetta, making her presence a constant strategic threat. Falco’s past work includes The Sopranos, Oz, and Nurse Jackie.

Beyond the core ensemble, Avatar: Fire and Ash features an extensive supporting cast. Britain Dalton returns as Lo’ak, the Sullys’ impulsive second son, still struggling with identity and loss.

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss plays Tuk, whose courage grows as danger escalates. Jack Champion reprises Spider, whose divided loyalties remain one of the story’s emotional fault lines. 

Bailey Bass returns as Tsireya, offering support and stability to Lo’ak, while Filip Geljo and Duane Evans Jr. appear as Ao’nung and Rotxo, respectively. CCH Pounder briefly reprises Mo’at, Neytiri’s mother, while David Thewlis introduces Peylak, leader of the Wind Traders.

Jemaine Clement returns as marine biologist Ian Garvin, and Jamie Flatters appears as Neteyam through Eywa’s spiritual realm.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is now playing in theaters worldwide.