Prime Video’s Fourth Wing series has reportedly found its leads, with Esther McGregor cast as Violet Sorrengail and Emilio Sakraya as Xaden Riorson, according to Deadline and Variety on Oct. 15.
Amazon declined to comment on the reports, so the casting is not yet an official announcement, but we’re crossing our fingers that this is the real deal.
The pair will play the enemies-turned-lovers at the center of Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling romantasy series.
(Fourth Wing via Entangled: Red Tower Books)
- Platform: Prime Video
- Violet Sorrengail: Esther McGregor (reported)
- Xaden Riorson: Emilio Sakraya (reported)
- Showrunner: Meredith Averill
- Pilot director: Lisa Joy
- Series order: May 2026
Who Is Playing Violet and Xaden?
Esther McGregor will star as Violet, a 20-year-old who planned a quiet life in the Scribe Quadrant until her mother, a general, orders her to join the dragon riders at Basgiath War College.
Emilio Sakraya will star opposite her as Xaden, the wing leader who starts out hating Violet because her mother executed his rebel father.
Their rivalry slowly turns into romance, which is why this has been one of the most watched casting searches in romantasy since Prime Video first picked up the project in October 2023.
Also read about: 6 Dragon Books for the Fantasy Reader
Who Is Esther McGregor?
Esther is best known for her breakout role in We Were Liars and for appearing in Babygirl. Her father is beloved actor Ewan McGregor.
Violet’s character is small, brilliant and resourceful, so the role asks for someone who can sell both the brains and the fear of surviving the Riders Quadrant.
Who Is Emilio Sakraya?
Emilio has built a long list of credits in Germany and the U.S., including Those About to Die, Warrior Nun and Tribes of Europa.
Deadline reports he recently finished work on Netflix’s One Piece Season 3, where he has a recurring role as Koza, leader of the rebel army.
Fans have been naming him a top pick for Xaden for a long time, so this one is likely to land well with readers.
Who Is Behind the Series?
Meredith Averill, whose credits include The Haunting of Hill House and Locke & Key, is the showrunner and an executive producer.
Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy will direct the first episode, and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society is producing alongside Kilter Films and Premeditated Productions.
Author Rebecca Yarros is also an executive producer, and Amazon MGM Studios’ Peter Friedlander has called the books “one of the most anticipated adaptations in the world,” TheWrap.
Also read about: 19 Fearless Quotes From Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean Series to Inspire Your Instagram Caption
When Does Fourth Wing Premiere?
Prime Video ordered the series in May during Amazon’s upfront presentation, but it has not announced a premiere date or confirmed when filming will begin.
The show adapts Fourth Wing, the first book in Rebecca’s planned five-book Empyrean series, which continues with Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
For now, the biggest piece of the puzzle is in place: Violet and Xaden finally have faces, and we’ll keep you posted as soon as Prime Video makes the casting official.
Looking for more book-to-screen casting news? Check out Netflix’s Icebreaker adaptation and the two leads it has cast.
