Prime Video Fourth Wing Series Casts Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya as Violet and Xaden

The dragon riders of Basgiath War College finally have faces. Variety reported on October 15, 2026, that Esther McGregor has been cast as Violet Sorrengail and Emilio Sakraya as Xaden Riorson in Fourth Wing, Amazon Prime Video's television adaptation of Rebecca Yarros' bestselling romantasy series. Deadline, TheWrap and Vulture reported the same casting the same day.

Amazon declined to comment to Variety and TheWrap, so the casting has not yet been formally announced by the studio. Still, the news answers the biggest question readers have asked since the project was first set up: who will play the reluctant rider and the brooding wingleader at the center of the story.

Who Is Esther McGregor

McGregor is best known for playing Mirren Sinclair Sheffield in Amazon's We Were Liars, according to Variety. Her earlier credits include Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Freevee's High School, and Vulture also points to her role in the film Babygirl. Variety reports that she next stars in Amazon's Life Is Strange series.

That track record matters. Violet is a demanding lead: a twenty year old who expected a quiet life and is instead pushed into the most dangerous school in her world. With We Were Liars and now Fourth Wing, Amazon has cast McGregor in leading roles in two of its book adaptations, which signals real confidence in her range.

Casting an actor with an existing Prime Video track record also makes practical sense for a franchise of this size. Studios planning several seasons tend to look for performers who can carry a long commitment, handle a heavy promotional schedule and grow with the character over time.

Who Is Emilio Sakraya

Sakraya brings a long list of credits from his native Germany as well as from American productions. Variety lists Rhinegold, Tribes of Europa and Warrior Nun, along with Those About to Die. He is also set to appear in the third season of Netflix's One Piece, where TheWrap reports he plays Koza, the leader of a rebel army.

TheWrap also notes that many Fourth Wing readers had already fan cast Sakraya as Xaden before the news broke. That kind of early goodwill is rare for a role this closely guarded by its fandom, and it gives the series a helpful head start with the audience it most needs to win.

For Prime Video, the pairing matters because the relationship between Violet and Xaden drives much of the books' appeal. Chemistry between the two leads will likely be the first thing fans judge when footage eventually arrives.

The Story Behind the Series

Fourth Wing is set at Basgiath War College, where there is one rule: graduate or die. Variety's summary explains that Violet's mother, a general in the military, orders her to join the hundreds of candidates trying to become dragon riders, the elite of Navarre. In the books she meets Xaden, a descendant of a rebellious group, and the two must survive the college while a bond forms between them.

Yarros' Empyrean series began with Fourth Wing in May 2023, followed by Iron Flame in November 2023 and Onyx Storm in January 2025. Variety reports that Yarros released the novella collection Threshing Day this September, and that titles and release dates for the planned fourth and fifth books have not been announced. Vulture notes that Yarros wrote Violet as a hero living with a chronic illness, a detail fans will watch closely on screen.

The Team Bringing It to Prime Video

Amazon ordered Fourth Wing to series in May, Variety reports. Meredith Averill, whose credits include Anne With an E, serves as showrunner and executive producer. Kilter Films, the company of Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, is producing with Athena Wickham, and Joy is set to direct the pilot.

Michael B. Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo are executive producing through Outlier Society, alongside Liz Pelletier and Sherryl Clark of Premeditated Productions. According to Vulture, Amazon MGM Studios acquired the rights to the books in 2023, and the plan is to adapt the rest of the series in later seasons.

What Comes Next

No premiere date, production start or additional casting has been reported yet, so fans should treat any rumored timelines with caution. The next confirmed milestones will likely be an official Amazon announcement, more casting for key roles and first images from set.

For now, the leads are in place. Hollywood Magazine will keep following Fourth Wing as Prime Video builds out the cast. Tell us in the comments whether McGregor and Sakraya match the Violet and Xaden you pictured, and check back for updates as the series takes flight.