It’s the news that romantasy book readers have been yearning to find out – Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson have reportedly been cast for the upcoming Fourth Wing TV series.
The show, which is being made by Amazon Prime Video, is one of the most highly anticipated book adaptations in years, given the sensational popularity of the dragon series written by Rebecca Yarros.
The first instalment, Fourth Wing, sold over two million copies in its first six months after being published in 2023. It was followed by Iron Flame seven months later, and the third book, Onyx Storm, in 2025. The Empyrean series – which also includes a companion book called Threshing Day, published last month – has become a global sensation, selling 21 books worldwide as of May last year.
After around a decade of not being an avid reader, the romantasy genre sucked me back in. It began with Sarah J Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses, and eventually led me to Rebecca’s Fourth Wing. So naturally, when the news emerged last night that Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya had supposedly been cast as the lead characters Violet and Xaden, my chats with friends and social feeds were popping off.
Here’s everything you need to know about Fourth Wing, the upcoming TV adaptation that’s being produced by Michael B Jordan, and the up-and-coming actors who are about to become global stars.
What is the Fourth Wing about?
Fourth Wing takes place at Basgiath War College in the kingdom of Navarre. The military college is made up of four quadrants, including the Riders Quadrant, where 20-year-old cadets put their lives on the line in the hopes of becoming dragon riders.
Violet is the daughter of General Lillith Sorrengail, the commander in charge at Basgiath. Violet always aspired to enter the Scribe Quadrant, where she would use her impeccable academic skills to train as a scribe and dutifully keep historic records. However, her mother forces her to enter the Riders Quadrant, despite this putting her life at risk.
Not only has Violet had to deal with chronic pain issues her whole life, but she also has a target on her back in the Riders Quadrant.
Five years before the events of Fourth Wing, a rebellion took place in the kingdom of Navarre, which was thwarted. The leaders of the rebellion were executed, including Fen Riorson, who left behind his son Xaden.
Following the executions, Xaden struck a deal with Lilith to save the lives of the children of the rebel leaders. They could live, but as a condition, they had to enter the Riders Quadrant and be visibly marked by tattooed relics.
Before Violet enters the quadrant, she’s warned by her older dragon-riding sister Mira to stay away from Xaden, as he’ll do everything in his power to make sure she winds up dead.
Xaden is two years ahead of Violet in the quadrant, and successfully bonded with the fearsome blue dragon Sgaeyl in his first year. He’s risen to the rank of Wingleader, and as soon as he and Violet lock eyes with one another, it’s clear that danger is brewing… in more ways than one.
Violet must fight for her survival on a variety of different fronts – can she survive attacks from the Marked Ones? Can she build her physical strength despite her daily chronic pain? Will she bond with a dragon or be blasted to smithereens? Will she even live to see Threshing Day, the day that cadets are transformed into riders?
How many books are there in the Empyrean series?
There are three main books in the Empyrean series: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
The companion book Threshing Day, which tells 13 individual stories of different characters on the day that they bonded with their dragons, was published last month.
Rebecca has also published other books, including her Flight and Glory series and her Legacy series.
Who has been cast?
It’s been reported that Esther McGregor has been cast as Violet, and Emilio Sakraya will be playing Xaden.
While this news hasn’t been officially confirmed by Amazon yet, it’s widely believed to be true, having been broken last night by Deadline, who were informed of the castings by sources. Amazon declined to comment when contacted by the publication.
Esther, 24, is a British actress who’s starred in films including Babygirl and Bleeding Love, with her father Ewan McGregor, as well as the TV shows Obi-Wan Kenobi and We Were Liars.
Emilio, 30, is a German actor best known for his performances in Rhinegold, Tribes of Europa, and Warrior Nun.
So far, no other cast members have been revealed for the wealth of characters in the series.
However, Oscar-winning actor Michael B Jordan is executive producing the series, so perhaps he’ll also be joining the cast in due course.
How have fans reacted?
As soon as Esther and Emilio were revealed as the actors playing Violet and Xaden, the internet was ablaze with fans in a frenzy over the news.
While some are elated by the castings, others are struggling to visualise the actors as these beloved characters. However, several people have also acknowledged that it’s impossible to live up to expectations, given how diehard fans want everything in the adaptation to be absolutely perfect.
One fan called Soph defended them, commenting on Deadline’s Instagram post: ‘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!🎉🫶🏻.’
‘To all my Emilio as Xaden girlies from day one…THIS ONES FOR US!!!!’ Orion-Blu shared, after months of speculation that Emilio was going to be cast in the role.
What does Metro think of the casting news?
Metro’s TV Editor and Fourth Wing superfan Sabrina Barr shares her thoughts:
In my personal view, I have images in my head of what Violet and Xaden look like – but at the end of the day, I trust Rebecca’s vision, given the author is an executive producer on the series.
We haven’t seen Esther and Emilio act together yet, so we haven’t personally witnessed what their chemistry is like, and I can definitely see their potential as Violet and Xaden. I believe that there are some out there who are too quick to judge, whereas I’m just over the moon that we have official developments to discuss.
Plus, I can absolutely see them both in these roles. Are they exactly as I pictured them? Not necessarily. Do I believe the author who created these characters has used her expertise to select performers who she is sure will do them justice? Absolutely.
You might think that I’m being too diplomatic, but I think others are being too negative off the bat. There were those who doubted Daniel Craig as James Bond, Austin Butler as Elvis Presley, Heath Ledger as the Joker, Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, and so many more. Casting directors have an eye for spotting promise, and I’m choosing at this stage to trust them.
Some people have said that Esther reminds them more of Imogen, another character in Fourth Wing who’s a Marked One, like Xaden.
However, 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.’
When could the show be released?
There’s no official word yet on when the Fourth Wing TV adaptation will come out, but given we’ve only just heard the first whispers of casting news, it’ll likely still be a while.