Avatar: Seven Havens Showrunners Confirm Major Fan Theory

With Avatar: Seven Havens, franchise architects Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and showrunners Sehaj Sethi and Ethan Spaulding have reshaped expectations for the world of bending. Streaming now on Paramount Plus, the series places viewers in a post-apocalyptic era set more than 200 years after The Legend of Korra. In this timeline, humanity no longer exists as the unified Four Nations. Civilization has splintered into seven isolated urban sanctuaries called the Seven Havens, each offering distinct cultural perspectives on a ravaged world.

The series follows Pavi, played by Saheli Khan, a young earthbender from the walled city of Ellora. She and her long-lost twin sister Nisha, played by Aishu Devan, both discover they are the next Avatar. Society views the Avatar mantle as a threat rather than salvation, forcing the sisters to flee both human and spirit enemies while uncovering their origins. Along the way, they travel with airbender guard Jae, played by Major Curda, guard captain Karthik, played by Akshay Khanna, and cat-monkey companions Geet and Ruhi, both voiced by franchise veteran Dee Bradley Baker.

Polygon spoke with Sethi and Spaulding at New York Comic Con 2026 to discuss the creative origins of the series and the mysteries behind its transformed world. When asked why there are specifically seven Havens and whether their geographic placement is intentional, the creators shared a quick look and a laugh before responding.

Ethan Spaulding: “There’s a reason.”

Sehaj Sethi: “There’s a reason. I don’t think we can say why yet.”

Ethan Spaulding: “I don’t think we can.”

Sehaj Sethi: “It is important.”

Fans have proposed multiple theories about the geography of the Havens. While Sethi and Spaulding could not confirm these ideas, the speculation points to several possibilities for the future of the bending world.

What Seven Havens could really mean

One theory suggests the Havens connect to ancient Lion Turtles. Before Avatar Wan became the first Avatar, humans lived on the backs of these colossal creatures for protection against the spirit wilds. The Seven Havens could sit on or near surviving Lion Turtles. This theory faces challenges because all but one Lion Turtle were hunted to extinction before Aang’s time, and the creatures were historically seafaring animals.

The number seven may also carry spiritual significance, a point Sethi hinted at when discussing South Asian inspirations in the series. Sethi noted that The Last Airbender introduced chakras, highlighting how that concept formed a major part of Aang’s journey under Guru Pathik. Pathik later expanded on chakras in The Legend of Korra, linking each chakra to emotional and spiritual well-being. These ties suggest the Havens might reflect the chakra system on a larger scale. Pavi and Nisha could face different spiritual tests at each Haven on their journey to master the Avatar mantle.

Another factor involves the relationship between the physical and spirit worlds. The Legend of Korra left three spirit portals open at the North Pole, the South Pole, and Republic City. The map of the Seven Havens shows all seven locations positioned far away from the poles. Their placement may indicate where human civilization survived away from hostile spirits, unstable technology, and competing factions, forcing Pavi and Nisha to travel through dangerous territory.

The creators continue to keep details under wraps, leaving audiences to piece together the clues. Avatar: Seven Havens is streaming on Paramount Plus.

Source: Polygon