Amazon’s television adaptation of the popular fantasy book “Fourth Wing” has selected its two central leads, casting Esther McGregor as Violet Sorrengail and Emilio Sakraya as Xaden Riorson, entertainment trade outlets Variety and Deadline reported Thursday.
The high-profile project, ordered to series by Prime Video in May, adapts the bestselling “The Empyrean” literary universe created by author Rebecca Yarros. Representatives for Amazon declined to comment on the casting decisions when contacted by Variety.
From Archives to Dragon Flight
The story takes place in the lethal environment of Basgiath War College, an academy where cadets face an uncompromising mandate to either graduate or perish. The narrative centers on 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail, who had spent years training for a scholarly path among the Scribes to follow in her late father’s footsteps. Those plans are upended when her mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, orders her to vie for a place among Navarre’s dragon riders, an elite and perilous military quadrant.
Within the dangerous academy, Violet crosses paths with Xaden Riorson, a brooding cadet and wingleader wielding shadow-based abilities whose family background ties him to an earlier rebellion. Across Yarros’ novels, the two start as bitter adversaries before growing into romantic partners while navigating mortal trials and burgeoning kingdom secrets.
Familiar Faces on the Small Screen
McGregor previously starred as Mirren Sinclair Sheffield in Prime Video’s series adaptation of “We Were Liars” and made television appearances in the Freevee series “High School” and Disney+’s “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Her feature film appearances include “Babygirl,” Pedro Almodóvar’s drama “The Room Next Door,” and the indie project “Bleeding Love,” which she acted in alongside her father, Ewan McGregor. She is currently filming the Prime Video video-game adaptation “Life Is Strange.”
Sakraya, who was widely favored by readers online for the role of Xaden, has assembled an extensive resume across European and American productions. His credits include the action film “Sixty Minutes,” Fatih Akin’s “Rhinegold,” the Peacock gladiator drama “Those About to Die,” and the Netflix shows “Tribes of Europa” and “Warrior Nun.” Sakraya also recently wrapped filming on the upcoming third season of Netflix’s live-action “One Piece,” portraying the rebel leader Koza, according to Deadline.
Building the Production Team
Meredith Averill serves as showrunner and executive producer for the series adaptation. Executive producers also include Lisa Joy, who is set to direct the pilot episode, along with Jonathan Nolan and Athena Wickham through Kilter Films, Variety reported. Michael B. Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo will executive produce under Outlier Society, alongside Premeditated Productions producers Liz Pelletier and Sherryl Clark, with Yarros also serving as an executive producer.
Yarros’ publishing franchise debuted in May 2023 with “Fourth Wing,” followed by “Iron Flame” later that year and “Onyx Storm” in January 2025. In September, she published “Threshing Day,” a collection of 13 short stories set within the same fantasy world. If the inaugural season succeeds, producers intend to adapt the remainder of Yarros’ planned five-book saga across multiple television seasons, according to Deadline. Production dates and a streaming premiere window have not yet been announced.
