Fourth Wing Fans, The Actors Playing Violet & Xaden Have Just Been Cast
In pop culture news that you’ve either been eagerly awaiting or couldn’t care less about, the actors set to star in the TV adaptation of the Fourth Wing romantasy book have just been revealed. For those trying to gauge just how big this series is, the latest book in the series, Onyx Storm, broke records as the fastest-selling adult novel in the last 20 years, so it follows that the internet is suitably invested in the news.
Who will play Violet Sorrengail?
According to Deadline, Esther McGregor, who recently starred in We Were Liars, plus Obi-Wan Kenobi, High School and Life Is Strange, is set to play Basgiath’s main character, Violet Sorrengail.
Who will play Xaden Riorson?
As for the brooding Wingleader, Xaden Riorson will be played by Emilio Sakraya, who is known for Those About To Die, Warrior Nun, Rhinegold, Tribes of Europa and season three of One Piece.
Fan reactions
I’m not familiar with either of these actors, which I love. When you’ve got recognisable faces taking on characters you’ve read about, it can be a bit jarring, so I can’t wait to see how they portray Violet and Xaden.
Natasha, Digital Editor
I’m excited about the casting! Everyone’s so caught up in the height-difference discourse, but Hollywood magic exists! I have faith & it might be unpopular, but I see the vision.
Caitlin, Senior Campaign Success Manager
About Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing is Rebecca Yarros’ 2023 best-selling New York Times novel, and is the first book in The Empyrean series, followed by Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. While the series has only three books so far, Yarros has teased that she’s writing the fourth, and the plan is for five in total.
While Prime Video has declined to comment on the recent casting news, what we do know is that the TV adaptation will focus on the first book, which follows Violet Sorrengail, a sharp but small and usually underestimated student who suddenly finds her life flipped upside down. Instead of following her lifelong plan to become a Scribe, her mother, the infamous General of Navarre, forces her into the Basgiath War College to train as a Dragon Rider. It’s a brutal, dangerous path that Violet has zero interest in taking, but she doesn’t have much of a choice. Thrown into a world where survival is not guaranteed and everyone seems to have a target on her back, Violet has to figure out not just how to make it through, but how to belong.
