You’ve probably seen her face—or at least heard that distinctively mischievous voice—without even realizing it. Thalia Tran isn’t just another child actor who got lucky with a single Disney gig. She’s kind of a powerhouse. At an age where most people are just trying to figure out how to pass their driver's test, she’s already navigated the high-stakes world of NBC dramas, voice-acted for a massive Disney blockbuster, and stepped into one of the most beloved animated universes of all time.
Honestly, the range is a bit ridiculous. One minute she’s a con-artist baby in a fantasy wasteland, and the next, she’s the gloomiest, knife-throwing teenager in the Fire Nation. If you're looking for a breakdown of Thalia Tran movies and tv shows, you’re in the right place. We're going beyond the IMDb list to look at why her career trajectory is actually something to watch.
From Little to the Fire Nation: The Roles That Defined Her
Thalia didn't just appear out of thin air. Her career has been a steady climb of increasingly complex roles. She started out with smaller appearances—stuff like Tiny Feminists and Hotel Du Loone—but things really kicked off around 2019.
The Big Break: Little (2019)
If you haven't seen Little, it’s basically a modern, hilarious spin on the body-swap trope starring Regina Hall and Issa Rae. Thalia played Raina, one of the kids who gets caught up in the chaos. While it wasn’t the lead role, it was her first major film, and it put her on the radar. It's that classic "smart kid in a room of adults" energy that she seems to pull off so well.
Council of Dads (2020)
This was a pivot. NBC’s Council of Dads was a heavy-hitter drama about grief and unconventional family structures. Thalia played Charlotte Perry, and this role was basically the emotional anchor for a lot of the show's younger audience. It showed she could handle "the feels" just as well as she could handle comedy. Unfortunately, the show didn't last forever, but it proved she was a series-regular caliber talent.
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The Voice of a Con-Baby: Raya and the Last Dragon
Let’s talk about Little Noi. In 2021, Disney released Raya and the Last Dragon, and Thalia Tran basically stole every scene she was in.
Voice acting is notoriously difficult because you can’t use your face to convey emotion. You just have your voice. Thalia had to play a "con-baby"—a toddler who leads a gang of monkey-like creatures (Ongis) to scam people in the marketplace. It sounds absurd because it is. But Thalia managed to make the character both adorable and slightly terrifying.
"Thalia is amazing. She's actually 14. She's not a baby. But she's a wonderful actress... she found this way to vocalize where you feel like you know what it is that Little Noi is saying." — Osnat Shurer, Producer.
The fact that she could convey a whole personality through "baby talk" and sound effects is a testament to her technical skill. It wasn’t just a "cute" role; it was a performance that required incredible timing.
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The Big One: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024–2026)
If there is one project that has solidified her status in the "must-watch" category, it’s the Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Thalia was cast as Mai. If you know the original show, you know Mai is a fan favorite. She’s the deadpan, knife-throwing best friend of Princess Azula who is perpetually bored with everything—except maybe Zuko.
Why the Casting Mattered
When the casting was first announced, there was a lot of buzz. People were protective of the original characters. But Thalia brought a specific kind of groundedness to Mai. In a world of fire-bending and flying bisons, Mai is the girl who just wants to throw knives and be left alone.
Thalia’s portrayal focused on:
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- The Nuance of Boredom: Playing "bored" without being "boring" is a tightrope walk.
- Physical Training: She actually practiced Kung Fu and knife-throwing (don't worry, they weren't real) to get the movements right.
- The Chemistry: Working alongside Elizabeth Yu (Azula) and Momona Tamada (Ty Lee), she helped create that "mean girl" trio dynamic that feels both intimidating and strangely relatable.
As we move into 2026, the anticipation for her return in the later seasons is huge. The character of Mai gets some of the best development in the series, moving from a secondary antagonist to someone with a lot of moral complexity.
Beyond the Screen: Kung Fu and Composing
What’s cool about Thalia is that she isn’t just an actress. She’s a musician and a martial artist. She plays piano and guitar, and she’s been known to compose her own music.
This multi-hyphenate lifestyle is part of why she feels so "real" in her roles. When she’s playing a character like Mai, she isn't just pretending to be athletic; she has a background in Kung Fu. When she’s doing voice work, she has an ear for tone and pitch because of her musical background.
Where to See Her Next
While Hollywood schedules are always a bit of a moving target, here is the current state of Thalia Tran movies and tv shows you should have on your watchlist:
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix): This is the flagship project. Seasons 2 and 3 are where the real meat of her character development happens.
- Station 19 (Guest Appearance): She popped up in an episode titled "Dancing with Our Hands Tied," showing she can still jump back into high-stakes TV drama.
- Sydney to the Max: A fun throwback if you want to see her earlier Disney Channel work.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you’re following Thalia’s career or looking to break into the industry yourself, there are a few things to take away from her journey:
- Diversify Your Skills: Don’t just act. Thalia’s music and martial arts gave her a "unique selling point" that makes her more castable in action and musical roles.
- Voice Acting is a Valid Path: Many actors overlook voice work, but for Thalia, Raya was a massive career booster that showed her versatility.
- Lean Into Your Niche: She doesn't try to be every character. She leans into roles that require a mix of intelligence, deadpan humor, and emotional depth.
Keep an eye on the 2026 release schedules. With Avatar continuing to be a cornerstone of Netflix's lineup, Thalia Tran is only going to get bigger. Whether she's voicing a mischievous toddler or throwing daggers at the Avatar, she’s proving that she’s one of the most versatile young actors of her generation.