Elizabeth Yu is having a moment. If you've been on Netflix at all in the last year, you probably recognize her as the sharp-tongued, terrifyingly blue-flamed Princess Azula. But honestly, her rise wasn't as "overnight" as the internet makes it look.
Most people don't realize she spent about three years auditioning for everything under the sun without booking a single gig. Imagine that. You're living in New Jersey, dreaming of the big screen, and the industry just keeps saying "no." Then, suddenly, the "no" turns into a "yes" for one of the biggest fantasy adaptations ever made.
Why Elizabeth Yu Movies and TV Shows Are Dominating Watchlists
The conversation around Elizabeth Yu usually starts and ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender. That makes sense—it’s a massive IP. But her filmography is actually starting to show some really interesting range that goes way beyond just "villain in a crown."
Take her role in May December. It’s a completely different vibe. Working with Todd Haynes is a huge deal for any actor, let alone someone just starting out. She played Mary Atherton-Yoo, the daughter of Julianne Moore’s character. It wasn't a "firebending" role; it was a quiet, suburban, and deeply uncomfortable domestic drama.
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- Somewhere in Queens (2022): This was her actual screen debut. It’s a Ray Romano film, and she had a small but solid part as Amy. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, which is a pretty classy way to start a career.
- May December (2023): As mentioned, this was her "prestige" breakout. Sharing scenes with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore is basically a masterclass in acting.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024–Present): This is the one that changed her life. Playing Princess Azula is a high-wire act. Fans of the original show are intense, and she had to find a way to make the character human while keeping that iconic "I will end you" energy.
- Year One (2024): A coming-of-age indie where she played a college student named Ruby.
- Murder by the Book (NBC Pilot): She was cast as "Young Maggie" in this mystery project.
The Azula Controversy and the Reality of Season 2
When she was first cast as Azula, the internet did what the internet does. People complained about "visual accuracy" and whether she looked "mean enough." It was a lot. But once the show dropped, the narrative shifted. She brought a sort of Shakespearean tragedy to the role.
She's mentioned in interviews that she actually looked at Lady Macbeth for inspiration. That's a deep cut for a fantasy show. It shows she isn't just showing up and reading lines; she's thinking about the power dynamics and the internal rot that makes a person like Azula tick.
With Season 2 of Avatar currently the big topic for 2026, everyone is waiting to see the "elite team" form. We're talking Mai and Ty Lee. This is where we’ll likely see Elizabeth Yu really flex her acting muscles, because the relationship between those three girls is the emotional core of the Fire Nation subplot.
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Beyond the Screen: A Jersey Girl in Hollywood
Elizabeth grew up in Mystic Island, New Jersey. She’s a "Jersey Girl" through and through, and she still talks about her roots a lot. Her training wasn't at some fancy LA conservatory; it was at The Prep NJ. She did self-tapes, voice-overs, and local theater.
There's also the "Gaten Matarazzo" factor. They’ve been together since like 2018. It’s rare to see a young Hollywood couple stay together that long, especially when both are in massive Netflix hits. They went to her senior prom together in 2021. It’s sort of refreshingly normal in an industry that usually feels anything but.
Future Projects to Watch
If you’re looking for what’s next, keep an eye out for Womb and Black Spines. These are smaller projects compared to the Netflix giants, but they suggest she’s interested in the indie scene. She's also been linked to a project called Murder in a Small Town, though the "Murder by the Book" pilot title seems to be the one that stuck in trade reports.
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Honestly, the smartest thing she’s doing is diversifying. She’s not just "the girl from Avatar." She’s doing the Todd Haynes indies, the Ray Romano dramedies, and the big-budget action. That’s how you build a career that lasts thirty years instead of three.
If you want to keep up with her work, the best move is to track the production cycles of Avatar Season 2. That’s going to be her primary focus for the next year. You can also follow her theater roots—she’s a mezzo-soprano and has a background in musical theater, so don't be surprised if she ends up on a Broadway stage eventually.
Check out the original Avatar animated series if you haven't already; it gives you a much deeper appreciation for the "chess match" Elizabeth is playing with her version of the character.