Prime Video has officially confirmed Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya as the lead stars of Fourth Wing, its upcoming television adaptation of Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling fantasy romance novels. McGregor will portray Violet Sorrengail, while Sakraya will play Xaden Riorson in the series from Amazon MGM Studios.
The casting announcement, confirmed on 21 October, brings two of the most anticipated characters in the popular Empyrean book series to the screen. The adaptation combines fantasy, romance and high-stakes action in a story set in a military college where aspiring dragon riders face deadly challenges.
Yarros welcomed the casting, praising the production and casting teams for conducting a worldwide search to find the actors who would bring Violet and Xaden to life.
What Is Prime Video’s Fourth Wing Series About?
Based on the first novel in Yarros’ Empyrean series, Fourth Wing follows 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail, who expects to pursue a life as a Scribe before her mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, forces her to enter Basgiath War College.
Located in the kingdom of Navarre, the institution trains elite dragon riders, but its brutal selection process puts cadets’ lives at constant risk. Violet must overcome physical challenges, navigate dangerous rivalries and attempt to bond with a dragon while confronting expectations that threaten to overwhelm her.
At Basgiath, Violet encounters Xaden Riorson, a powerful and enigmatic cadet whose family history is tied to a rebellion against the kingdom. Their relationship develops amid political tensions, dangerous trials and the intense competition for survival.
The combination of dragons, military fantasy and an enemies-to-lovers romance has helped establish Fourth Wing as a major title in the romantasy genre, which blends fantasy storytelling with romantic relationships.
Who Are Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya?
Esther McGregor, known for her role in the television series We Were Liars and appearances in films including Babygirl, will take on the role of Violet Sorrengail.
German actor Emilio Sakraya, whose credits include Warrior Nun and Those About to Die, will play Xaden Riorson. The two actors will lead the adaptation of characters who have attracted a substantial international readership.
Peter Friedlander, head of global television at Amazon MGM Studios, highlighted the passionate fanbase behind Yarros’ books and the importance of finding the right performers for the central roles.
The author also serves as an executive producer on the adaptation.
Meredith Averill Leads the Adaptation With Lisa Joy Directing the Pilot
Meredith Averill, whose credits include The Haunting of Hill House and Locke & Key, is adapting Fourth Wing for television and serving as showrunner and executive producer. Lisa Joy, co-founder of Kilter Films and an executive producer on the project, is set to direct the pilot episode.
The production brings together Amazon MGM Studios, Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, Jonathan Nolan and Joy’s Kilter Films, and Premeditated Productions.
Executive producers include Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo for Outlier Society; Nolan, Joy and Athena Wickham for Kilter Films; and Liz Pelletier and Sherryl Clark for Premeditated Productions, alongside Yarros and Averill.
Prime Video ordered the series in May 2026, moving the adaptation beyond its earlier development stage and into production planning.
Will Fourth Wing Become a Multi-Season Series?
The Empyrean novels provide a potential foundation for a broader television franchise. The series currently includes Fourth Wing (2023), Iron Flame (2023) and Onyx Storm (2025), with Yarros working on a fourth novel and a fifth planned.
The production team has expressed an ambition to adapt the wider book series across multiple seasons, depending on the television adaptation’s success.
Prime Video has not announced an official premiere date for Fourth Wing. The series is set to stream exclusively on the platform in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
With its lead cast now officially confirmed and an established creative team in place, Fourth Wing is moving closer to bringing Yarros’ dragon-filled fantasy world to a global television audience.
