Prime Video Casts McGregor and Sakraya for 'Fourth Wing' Adaptation

Key points

• Amazon Prime Video officially cast Esther McGregor as Violet Sorrengail and Emilio Sakraya as Xaden Riorson for the 'Fourth Wing' TV series.
• The adaptation is based on Rebecca Yarros' 'Empyrean' book series, which includes 'Fourth Wing,' 'Iron Flame,' and 'Onyx Storm.'
• Meredith Averill is the showrunner and executive producer, with Lisa Joy directing the series premiere.
• The series was greenlit in May 2026, following Amazon's acquisition of the rights in 2023.
• Fan reactions to the casting have been mixed, with some expressing disappointment over the actors' physical resemblance to the characters.

Background

Amazon Prime Video acquired the rights to the 'Empyrean' book series in 2023 but did not greenlight the series until May 2026. Meredith Averill joined as showrunner in September 2025. The series is produced by Michael B. Jordan's Outlier Society, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy's Kilter Films, and Premeditated Productions. The 'Empyrean' series consists of five books, with three released so far and two more in development.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and Deadline reported the casting as a major development, highlighting the actors' previous roles and the production's backing. CNN reported the casting as a confirmed fact, while Yahoo News Singapore reported it as a rumor. Fan reactions, as reported by Deadline, were mixed, with some fans expressing disappointment over the actors' physical resemblance to the characters, while others praised the choices. Variety noted that BookTok fans may be unfamiliar with Sakraya, while McGregor is well-known for her role in 'We Were Liars.'

Why it matters

The casting of the leads for 'Fourth Wing' is a significant step in the adaptation of a bestselling book series, indicating Amazon Prime Video's commitment to the project. The mixed fan reactions highlight the challenges of adapting popular books with strong fan bases, where physical resemblance to characters can be a point of contention. The involvement of high-profile producers and directors suggests a high-quality production, which could impact the series' success and the future of the 'Empyrean' franchise.

What to watch

The next steps for the 'Fourth Wing' TV series include the announcement of other prominent characters, such as Dain Aetos, Liam Mairi, or Rhiannon Matthias. The series is expected to launch with a multi-season plan, adapting the remaining books in the 'Empyrean' series. The release date for the series has not yet been announced, but the casting of the leads brings the project closer to production.