Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya have reportedly been cast as Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson in the upcoming Fourth Wing TV series for Amazon Prime Video. The news, broken by Deadline and attributed to sources, has not been officially confirmed by Amazon, which declined to comment when contacted.
The series adapts Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean books, a global romantasy phenomenon. The first novel, Fourth Wing, sold over two million copies in its first six months after publication in 2023. It was followed by Iron Flame seven months later and Onyx Storm in 2025. A companion book, Threshing Day, was published last month, and the series has sold 21 million copies worldwide as of May last year. Michael B Jordan is executive producing the show.
What is Fourth Wing about?
Fourth Wing is set at Basgiath War College in the kingdom of Navarre. The military college has four quadrants, including the Riders Quadrant, where 20-year-old cadets risk their lives to become dragon riders. Violet is the daughter of General Lillith Sorrengail, the commander of Basgiath, and had aspired to enter the Scribe Quadrant. Her mother forces her into the Riders Quadrant, despite her chronic pain and the danger she faces.
Five years before the story, a rebellion in Navarre was thwarted and its leaders executed, including Fen Riorson, whose son Xaden then struck a deal with Lilith to save the rebel leaders' children. They could live on condition they entered the Riders Quadrant and were marked with tattooed relics. Violet's sister Mira warns her to stay away from Xaden, who is two years ahead and has bonded with the dragon Sgaeyl, rising to the rank of Wingleader.
Who has been cast?
Esther McGregor, 24, is a British actress known for Babygirl, Bleeding Love, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and We Were Liars. Emilio Sakraya, 30, is a German actor recognised for Rhinegold, Tribes of Europa, and Warrior Nun. No other cast members have been revealed, though Michael B Jordan is executive producing and may join the cast.
How have fans reacted?
Reaction online has been mixed, with some fans elated and others struggling to picture the actors in the roles. One fan, Soph, commented on Deadline's Instagram: 'Guys remember these actors are HUMAN yeah? Landing a huge role where a lot of people are so quick to criticise. How about we congratulate them, be opened minded and be excited – I know I am!🎉🫶🏻.' Another fan, Orion-Blu, wrote: 'To all my Emilio as Xaden girlies from day one…THIS ONES FOR US!!!!'
Instagram user kismetandfable added: 'When will people understand that the image in your head is never gonna match a casting.. and the decisions going into casting is also only part looks and lots of parts other things…chemistry, talent etc! And also when will people learn to trust the process instead of being instantly negative?! You can't base them fitting a character based on one still image in an article.'
Metro's TV Editor Sabrina Barr, a self-described Fourth Wing superfan, said she trusts author Rebecca Yarros, who is an executive producer, and sees potential in the casting. She noted that while the actors may not match her personal mental images, casting directors have a track record of spotting promise, citing Daniel Craig, Austin Butler, Heath Ledger, and Anne Hathaway as examples of initially doubted choices.
There is no official release date for the Fourth Wing TV series yet, and with casting news only just emerging, it is likely to be some time before the show arrives.
