Pack your bags for Basgiath War College, because the Empyrean is officially taking flight!
Amazon MGM Studios just commissioned a full Prime Video series adaptation of Rebecca Yarros’ blockbuster novel “Fourth Wing.” This highly anticipated, multi-season project is flying straight into early development under some massive Hollywood powerhouses, too. Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society produces the show, while Meredith Averill—the mastermind behind “The Haunting of Hill House”—steps in as showrunner to steer the ship. With three massive books already out (“Fourth Wing,” “Iron Flame,” and “Onyx Storm”) and two more on the way, the creative team faces the thrilling, high-stakes challenge of bringing Violet Sorrengail and her world of dragon riders to life.
Jordan told the BBC he aims to strike a careful balance between fresh faces and established actors, intentionally avoiding “obvious choices” to ensure the fantasy series remains grounded and epic rather than “cheesy.” He explained that casting lesser-known actors “allows people to…fall in love with the characters that they have imagined in their head without any baggage.” While we eagerly await official news on who’s playing who, we couldn’t resist stepping in as casting directors with our own roster. Here is who we think should star on Prime Video’s upcoming “Fourth Wing” adaptation.
Danielle Rose Russell as Violet Sorrengail
Russell is the ultimate choice for bringing the lead of “Fourth Wing,” Violet Sorrengail, to life. While she perfectly matches Violet’s petite, unassuming stature, her onscreen presence is undeniable. As a seasoned veteran of the fantasy genre, having carried a major supernatural franchise as Hope Mikaelson on the CW’s “Legacies,” we believe Russell already possesses the rare combination of emotional depth and rigorous stunt training required for the role. She’s uniquely equipped to capture Violet’s transformation from a vulnerable scribe into a lethal, battle-hardened dragon rider.
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Matthew Daddario as Xaden Riorson
A top fan casting for Violet’s love interest, Xaden Riorson, is Daddario, who already embodies the “shadow daddy” archetype with his signature brooding intensity and lethal charm. Standing at a commanding 6’3”, he possesses the intimidating physical presence and sharp, striking features needed to play the powerful wing leader. His role as Alec Lightwood on “Shadowhunters” also proves he can effortlessly master the complex balance between a harsh, dangerous military exterior and a fiercely loyal romantic heart.
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Dacre Montgomery as Dain Aetos
We think Montgomery would make a great Dain Aetos. We’re still not over his performance on “Stranger Things,” where he proved he can make complex, deeply flawed characters feel human. With his athletic build and emotional range, Montgomery could effortlessly ground Dain’s obsession with the rules in a genuine, misplaced fear for Violet—turning him into a tragic, multi-layered antagonist rather than a basic villain.
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Yara Shahidi as Rhiannon Matthias
It’s easy to see why fans universally agree on Shahidi playing Rhiannon Matthais, Violet’s ride-or-die best friend. After years of playing Zoey Johnson on “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish,” Shahidi has perfected the balance of showing warmth and unwavering support. While Shahidi is best known for contemporary comedy and drama, stepping into a high-stakes fantasy world like Basgiath War College would give her a chance to showcase her physical acting through combat choreography, weapons training, and dragon-riding sequences.
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Lucas Till as Sawyer Henrick
Another fan-cast we agree on is Till as Sawyer Henrick, the resilient and level-headed heart of the Iron Squad. Having spent five seasons as the resourceful hero on CBS’ “MacGyver” reboot, Till knows how to play characters who rely on intellect and quick reflexes rather than brute force. Not to mention his role as Havok in the “X-Men” film series proves he has the physical stamina and CGI experience required to handle Basgiath War College’s lethal obstacle courses.
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Danny Griffin as Liam Mairi
“Fourth Wing” readers began fan-casting Griffin as Liam Mairi after he posted a photo of himself reading Yarros’ “Iron Flame” in a rather unique way on Instagram. With a relatively brief résumé to his name, it’s not without its highlights, as Griffin starred opposite Matthew McConaughey and Hugh Grant in “The Gentlemen,” and he even has a fantasy background, having starred in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Known to be charming and protective, Griffin carries himself with the precise persona that will make Liam fans swoon without fail.
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Dream Cast: Actors Who Should Star in ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’Jonathan Daviss as Ridoc Gamlyn
Ridoc Gamlyn quickly becomes good friends with Violet and her core group, Sawyer and Rhiannon, so a congenial personality is a must. Luckily, Daviss’ good nature shines through in all he does. With a leading role on the hit Netflix series “Outer Banks” under his belt, Daviss has also dabbled in dark comedy with “Do Revenge,” which will come in handy, as Ridoc’s known for his unique humor. As the comedic relief, more or less, the role would give Daviss a good excuse to show off his killer smile, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved.
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Lena Headey as Lilith Sorrengail
Known for her chilling portrayal of Cersei Lannister on “Game of Thrones,” Headey would bring a terrifyingly brilliant level of prestige and menace to the role of General Lilith Sorrengail. As the Commanding General of Basgiath War College, Lilith is a ruthless, indomitable force who demands absolute respect. Headey is a master at playing powerful matriarchs whose political savy is matched only by their questionable morality. Pushing her youngest daughter, Violet, into the deadly Riders Quadrant with zero preparation requires a cold, calculated ruthlessness—a lethal maternal instinct that Headey can execute flawlessly.
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Daisy Ridley as Mira Sorrengail
Like her mother, Mira Sorrengail demands respect through unyielding determination. As Rey in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, Ridley has already demonstrated that she can embody that type of character. She can easily play the unassuming daughter while masking a warrior underneath who will ruthlessly destroy anyone who threatens her family. Because Mira openly opposes her mother’s decision to force Violet into the Rider’s Quadrant, Ridley’s signature, withering stare would cut through General Lilith Sorrengail’s icy authority.
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Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Brennan Sorrengail
As Violet’s (spoiler!) not-so-dead brother, Brennan Sorrengail is sharp and cunning, which explains why he used his so-called death to position himself as a leader of the revolution. Therefore, it only seems logical to cast someone who brings a sense of steadfast confidence as this eldest sibling. Taylor-Johnson’s roles often pack a (literal) punch (see: “Kick-Ass” and “Kraven the Hunter”), which comes through in his piercing gaze alone. And with his solid career as a sturdy foundation on which to build this character, he’d also bring that name recognition.
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Noah LaLonde as Jack Barlowe
LaLonde’s chiseled good looks have heartthrob written all over them, but with a background in hockey, we are confident the actor could tap into his former inner aggressor, making a subtle but suitable Jack Barlowe. Violent and dangerous, Jack has it out for Violet from the very beginning. While LaLonde might have to reach into the depths to convey the character’s arrogant persona, he’s already attuned to hockey’s combatant nature in a way that could easily translate into this villainous, murderous student who’s out to eliminate the weak.
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Idris Elba as Tairn
Elba is the ultimate choice to voice Tairn. His commanding, gravelly baritone captures the ancient dragon’s terrifying power and dry, cynical wit. Elba naturally projects the royal majesty of a legendary creature, while his flawless deadpan delivery would bring Tairn’s sharp and protective roasts of Violet to life like, “Should I eat them? It would take less time than listening to you complain about them.”
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Emily Blunt as Sgaeyl
We think Blunt’s sharp, aristocratic cadence totally fits Sgaeyl’s ethereal elegance and ruthless authority. She effortlessly projects the dangerous confidence of an apex predator, and would make the navy-blue dragon’s aloof, law-breaking nature genuinely intimidating. We also think Blunt’s gift for delivering biting sarcasm would bring an intensity to Sgaeyl’s mental telepathy scenes with Violet. And, who wouldn’t want to hear the banter between Blunt and Elba’s Tairn?
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Anna Kendrick as Andarna
If Kendrick voiced Andarna, she would blend bubbly innocence with fast-talking sarcasm. Channeling her often unfiltered energy, she would portray the dragon as Violet’s sweet-but-sassy hype-girl during battles. Kendrick’s voice work would be able to show Andarna’s dynamic evolution, shifting from an enthusiastic, comedic toddler into a moody, rebellious teenager who refuses to be underestimated.
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With development likely to ramp up in the coming months, keeping a close eye on what’s to come will be crucial if you hope to join the “Fourth Wing” cast in some capacity. Until we know more about the series’ progress, we recommend exploring our roundup of fantasy projects that are casting now. We also suggest bookmarking our main fantasy gig casting page, as it frequently updates with similar jobs as they become available. And you can always check back here for more updates on the upcoming show’s status.