Prime Video Officially Confirms Fourth Wing Series’ First Major Cast Members

Published Oct 21, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT Rianna is the Movie News Editor for ScreenRant. After earning her BA in Film Studies, she began her career as an entertainment writer, contributing to several publications before joining ScreenRant. Her dissertation on the impact of streaming on traditional cinema sharpened her focus on the ever-evolving world of film and media. With 10 years in the industry, Rianna continues to cover the stories she loves while also advocating for awareness and representation of rare disabilities, such as Moebius Syndrome, which she lives with. Prime Video has officially put the casting rumors for Fourth Wing to rest. The Empyrean series was created by beloved and popular author Rebecca Yarros. Shortly after the first novel, Fourth Wing, was published, it became a historic success, spending 18 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and selling over two million copies within the first six months of its release. While revitalizing the "romantasy" genre, Fourth Wing remains a major novel series that continues to dominate across social media and more. Reports surfaced about casting announcements for Prime Video's Fourth Wing adaptation, causing a very mixed reaction across social media. Now, the streaming giant has arrived to officially confirm that Esther McGregor (known for Babygirl, We Were Liars) and Emilio Sakraya (known for Warrior Nun) will indeed be portraying the all-important roles of Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson. Meredith Averill (known for The Haunting of Hill House) is adapting the novels and will act as showrunner and executive producer. Lisa Joy will be directing the pilot. In Fourth Wing, Violet Sorrengail is forced by her mother to enter the brutal world of Basgiath War College. Based on the fantasy adventure from NYT bestselling author Rebecca Yarros, Violet joins hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. Esther: Joe Pugliese Emilio: Kurt Iswarienko Author Yarros provided a statement regarding the casting announcements and shared, "I’m so grateful to our producing and casting team for conducting a thorough, worldwide search to find Violet and Xaden. It will be incredibly exciting to see these talented actors, Esther and Emilio, bring our beloved characters to life on screen." Joy also stated, "Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya are brilliant, magnetic actors. We cannot wait for the world to see what they will do with these incredible characters." Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios gave his thoughts on the highly-anticipated adaptation of Fourth Wing by adding, "Few stories have inspired the kind of passionate, worldwide fandom that Rebecca Yarros has built with Fourth Wing, and we know just how much Violet and Xaden mean to readers. Esther and Emilio are rare and exceptional talents who bring something truly special to these iconic roles." Reactions to reports claiming McGregor and Sakraya were rather mixed given the years of careful Fourth Wing fan castings made by millions. However, some were pleasantly surprised by the two actors being given these roles. Some fans shared, "I'm seated. The Prime Video employees are scared and asking me to leave because Fourth Wing is 'not even released yet,' but I'm simply too seated," and "Esther McGregor actually looks like she survived Basgiath. That headshot nails the exhausted scholar vibe instead of just pretty casting. Prime Video might have finally gotten one right." Violet Sorrengail, to be portrayed by McGregor, is the main protagonist of the Empyrean series and is described as small and fragile, and suffers with a chronic connective tissue disorder. She's exceptionally intelligent, sharp-witted, tactical, and fiercely resilient. Xaden Riorson, is also a major protagonist in Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm, as well as the two future novels closing the series. The character is described as over six feet tall, impressively muscled, with black hair. He is known to be stoic, blunt, fiercely protective, secretive, and intimidating, but behind closed doors is deeply devoted and emotionally vulnerable to those he holds dear. At the time of writing, it's unclear when Prime Video will be releasing its Fourth Wing adaptation. Network Prime Video Showrunner Meredith Averill Directors Lisa Joy Creator(s) Meredith Averill, Rebecca Yarros