Here’s Everyone Rumoured To Be Cast In The Fourth Wing TV Series

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Author Rebecca Yarros changed our lives on October 2023 when she announced that our favourite dragon series (Fourth Wing) was being turned into a TV show (and it’s now being turned into a graphic novel).

Now, rumours have started to spread around casting — so, of course, we had to investigate. What can I say? It’s in our dragon rider blood.

Spoilers ahead, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Click here to jump to the new casting clues.

@celines_library Fourth wing memes where so funny to make 😂 #booktok #books #bookish #fourthwing #fourthwingmemes #memes #reading #reader ♬ original sound – celine 🥀 writer

Here’s everything you need to know about the Fourth Wing TV show

What is Fourth Wing?

Fourth Wing is the first book in a five-part fantasy book series by Rebecca Yarros.

Fourth Wing is set at Basgiath War College, where students choose to train in one of four military Quadrants: dragon rider, healer, infantry or scribe.

We follow a scribe in training, Violet Sorrengail, as she is forced by her mother to become a dragon rider instead. Did I mention that she can only escape by graduating or dying? To make matters worse, her mum’s enemy, Xaden Riorson, wants her dead — or at least that’s what Violet (or Violence, as he calls her) thinks.

@booksnobsammy FOURTH WING RECAP! Here’s everything you need to remember about Fourth Wing before reading the next book in the Empyrean Series!! #fourthwing #ironflame #onyxstorm #reveccayarros #books #recaps #bookrecap #bookrecaps #booktok #booktoker @Amazon Kindle @Rebecca Yarros @Goodreads ♬ original sound – Book Snob Sammy

The second book, Iron Flame, follows Violet in her second year as she battles magical powers, family secrets and lies that change everything dragon riders stand for.

@romancingthereader Don’t have time to reread? Here’s a recap of the main plot points of #IronFlame so you can be ready for the #OnyxStorm release. #booktok #romantasy #empyreanseries #fourthwing #xadenriorson #violetsorrengail #fantasyromance ♬ original sound – Cori – RomancingtheReader

In the most recent book, Onyx Storm, Violet must go on a quest to find her dragon Andarna’s origin, or they are doomed forever. Dun, dun, dunnn.

@emmahalbrook Let’s start unpacking Onyx Storm 💭⚡️📖🤓 #onyxstorm #booktoker #rebeccayarros #fourthwingtheories #bookish #dragons #theory #ironflame #xadenriorson #booktokbooks #readers #fantasy #fantasybooktok ♬ original sound – Emma Halbrook

When is the fourth Fourth Wing book coming out?

The fourth Fourth Wing book should come out around 2027 if we follow the two-year timeline between Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.

Yarros confirmed that she’s not doing the year-turnaround again, like she did with Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, on account of book-induced burnout.

“I’ve been really clear that I’m going to rest now,” Yarros told ELLE. “I drove my body to a place that was untenable, and I knew it, and my family knew it, and my husband knew it, and it shouldn’t have happened. I shouldn’t have allowed it to happen.”

What is the Fourth Wing TV show soundtrack?

Yarros has just added “Ordinary” to her official Onyx Storm playlist, a nod to the fans who are calling for the song to feature in the show’s soundtrack.

I’ll give you a sec to give the song a listen.

@editzztillidie FOURTH WING | this song was literally made for xaden and violet. #foryou #fy #foryoupage #fyp #edit #fourthwing #booktok #xadenriorson #violet #violetsorrengail #ordinary ♬ original sound – Edit account

Like, c’mon, if these lyrics don’t describe Violet and Xaden’s deadly relationship, I don’t know what will.

“You’re takin’ me out of the ordinary. I want you layin’ me down ’til we’re dead and buried. On the edge of your knife, stayin’ drunk on your vine,” Alex Warren, the song’s creator, sings.

Alex even posted a TikTok holding the Fourth Wing book, with the caption: “U KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME…”

@alexwarrenism

U KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME…

♬ Ordinary Feb 14 – alexwarrenupdates

You better find him and make his song the soundtrack, showrunners.

Do you know what’s even more suss? The fan cast of Violet, Mackenzie Foy, also posted the song to a video of her riding a horse — the closest thing we’ll get to a dragon. Honestly, if Mackenzie isn’t cast as Violet, then I don’t want it.

Jump to Mackenzie’s casting clues for Violet here.

Who will be cast in Fourth Wing?

The Fourth Wing cast hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, here are the clues we’ve got so far.

@kennyboyleofficial The meaning of every dragon name, and how to pronounce it, in Rebecca Yarros’ Iron Flame and Fourth Wing ahead of Onyx Storm releasing this month. #scottish #gaelic #fourthwing #ironflame #onyxstorm #rebeccayarros ♬ original sound – Kenny Boyle Official

Xaden Riorson: Josh Heuston or Emilio Sakraya?

We have an update on the actor set to portray Xaden — Heartbreak High star Josh Heuston.

ICYMI: Josh follows Yarros and the Fourth Wing TV show producer, Micheal B. Jordan, on Instagram AND he has a dragon emoji in his Insta bio (I’ll wait while you check his profile for yourself).

@the.julie.c They are overtiming 😭 #joshheuston #jheuston #xaden #xadenriorson #onyxstorm #ironflame #forthwing ♬ original sound – Frankie Bleau

Okay, now that you’re all caught up, get ready to scream.

Josh officially acknowledged the Fourth Wing casting rumours at The Last of Us premiere and Max Australia launch on Wednesday, April 2. So far, all we’ve had are hints about him playing Xaden, so this is a huge update. Let me break it down for you.

The biggest nod we got was from 7Bravo’s interview, in which they cheekily asked if they should be referring to Josh as Xaden instead.

In true Xaden fashion, Josh responded, “You[’ll] have to ask the scribes, I suppose.”

What really brings it home? “Yeah, that’s a great nickname, I suppose.”

I love how he’s trying to cover himself with the “I suppose.” We see you, Josh/ Xaden.

@7bravoau That’s my wing leader right there 🐉 #fourthwing #booktok #joshheuston ♬ original sound – 7Bravo Australia

Josh even told Millie Ford that he prefers chocolate over vanilla — AKA what we all know to be Xaden’s favourite dessert, chocolate cake.

@millie Gotcha @Jheuston #Dune #JoshHeuston #Max #BookTok #XadenRioson ♬ original sound – Millie Ford

My question is, does he consider himself to be more Xaden or Bodhi?

“I think they’re both good characters,” he told Marie Claire. “You know they have their own signs and signets.” Okay, Josh, give us nothing!!!

The actor acknowledged the fans ‘going wild’ over him reading Fourth Wing, saying, “I think it’s great. You know, it’s a great world.”

@marieclaire_au Who’s your pick, Xaden or Bodhi? Josh Heuston doesn’t seem to mind… #JoshHeuston #FourthWing #Xaden #Bodhi ♬ SAVE ME from rammor summer chill mix on youtube – Rammor

Josh has also hinted at a big project coming up that he “just found out about.”

Could it be the Fourth Wing TV Show?! Yarros did confirm that she read the second draft of the script at the Onyx Storm release party on January 20.

“I kicked my feet the entire time—like, I love it,” she said. “Moira [the writer] has done such an amazing job capturing everyone’s voice and the dialogue that you guys love, and just the energy and spirit of the book.”

This would give the Fourth Wing team enough time to start casting, so keep your fingers and toes crossed, cadets.

Casting team, if you’re reading this, I’m just saying that Josh clearly understands Xaden’s pain. How do I know that?

When asked about the ending of Onyx Storm, he responded, “It was devastating, you know. Without giving any spoilers away, you know, that sort of memory being taken away would be painful.” He truly gets us.

@amypekk Is it Xaddy? @Jheuston #fourthwing #xadan #joshheuston #onyxstorm #xaddy ♬ original sound – amypejkovic

What more clues are there?

He wrote ‘violence’ in his Instagram story, AKA the nickname Xaden gave to Violet!!!!!

“There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.” This quote by Xaden always gets me. We deserve to be loved like that, and I hope you find it one day.

@julia.davina omg??? #fourthwing #onyxstorm #xadenriorson #joshheuston ♬ original sound – Musicッ

Back to less deep things, his captions are becoming more and more related to The Empyrean series lately, and I’m so here for this. We’ve really upgraded from emojis — look at how far we’ve come.

Starting off easy with “Take off.”

Sure, he could be talking about riding a dragon, but he could also be quoting a space movie — I hear you.

The following caption is hard to doubt, though: “Burnout.”

@sofiareadstoo he IS our xaden ⚔️🐉 (also my chocolate cake comment) #xadenriorson #fourthwing #onyxstorm #rebeccayarros #ironflame #joshheuston ♬ Ordinary Feb 14 – alexwarrenupdates

AHA. Xaden literally turns Venin to avoid burnout, which would’ve killed the four of them — since he needed more power to beat the Sage (and protect Violet, I’ll admit).

The question is, if Josh is Xaden, does that mean Emilio is Bodhi? Or Is Josh, Bodhi? We’ll update you as soon as we have more info, and if you have any theories (or a dream fan cast), let us know!

The good news is that you don’t have to wait to see Josh as Xaden. He already played a brudy heartthrob in Dune Prophecy as Constantine Corrino.

@blakesrbest he is literally who I imagined as xaden I can’t stop editing him #XADENRIORSON #fourthwing #joshheuston #duneprophecy #constantinecorrino #fyp #tatemcrae #fyp #booktok #duneprophecy dt – @beri⭐️ @mione 🕸 @ari ♬ original sound – blakesrbest

There’s a new Xaden Riorson contender on the block, and fans are going absolutely feral — me included, low-key.

The actor was spotted posting Fourth Wing-related emojis, and I was a bit hesitant until he posted a certain vegetable today… you guessed it: Broccoli (AKA the name of the orange kitten that Drake Cordella was gifted in that fucked up trial at Zihnal).

“No one really wants broccoli, but it’s good for you, so [it] seems fitting to me,” Drake replied when Mira questioned the name.

Only Onyx Storm fans would know about Broccoli, and I certainly don’t see you posting random veggie emojis on your insta.

So, who is this mysterious actor? Drum roll please…

Your new Wing Leader could be Emilio Sakraya, a German actor and singer (!!) — here’s all the evidence we’ve got (other than the damning veggie emoji).

@emilio.sakraya 🥦 #fyp ♬ Redemption (feat. Nemzzz) – Kidwild

Five weeks ago, Emilio posted a dragon emoji on his Insta (go stalk, you animals

Since then, he’s posted using a sword, fighter and fire emoji not once but repeatedly — when he hadn’t used those emojis often before (I investigated for you).

The real smoking gun was when he posted himself reading a book on his bike, with the caption: “Chill guy (library emoji).” If it was another book, sure, but a blank book? That feels pointed.

@goodgirlsbookclubco These men know exactly what they are doing to us 🫠 #xadenriorson #xaden #fancast #emiliosakraya #fourthwing #booktok #xadencasting #joshuaheuston #onyxstorm #booktokfyp ♬ original sound – Synthos Arcade

Emilio is also of Moroccan and Serbian descent, which ties in with the clue about Xaden’s casting given to Variety.

“We’re just going to say he’s POC [Person Of Colour], we’re just going to leave it at that,” said Yarros. “I was never going to give the readers my vision because I know that once you give the readers your vision, that’s what they’re gonna stick to. And I wanted to make sure we left it open to as much diversity as possible.”

If you’re still unconvinced, he also made an X for Xaden motion (AHHHHH) in this post.

Oh, and he’s been spotted reading Fourth Wing AND follows Yarros. BOOM.

@albazamoraexpo #greenscreen chicas chicas #fourthwing #booktok #booktokespaña #booktokespañol #alasdesangre #parati #foryoupage #emiliosakraya #fourthwingcast ♬ Welcome to the Fourth Wing – lauren &lt3

The good news is that you can already watch Emilio play a love interest in Warrior Nun as C.J. Close enough — welcome back, Xaden.

@shayriddle Xaden and Violet in a cleaning supplies closet at Basgiath 🤣 #emiliosakraya #xadenriorson #xaden #xadenandviolet #basgiathwarcollege #fourthwing ♬ LET THE WORLD BURN (with G-Eazy & Ari Abdul) – Chris Grey & G-Eazy & Ari Abdul

Sgaeyl: Cynthia Erivo

Okay, hear me out on this one because I know you’re already doubting me. Yes, Cynthia Erivo is a huge Wicked star, but The Empyrean series is also very famous, and the fans (us) deserve the best casting.

That’s why I was stalking Yarros’s following list to suss out potential cast members — which is where I discovered Cynthia’s name. Sure, Yarros could just be following Cynthia after singing the Wicked soundtrack for the millionth time, but Cynthia also follows her back.

So, I did some digging, and it turns out that Cynthia has posted about Oynx Storm before on TikTok — see below. This means she knows the source material well and should be interested in starring in the show (fingers crossed).

@guywithamoviecamera just two dragon lovers geeking out with @Audible at @Sundance Institute 🐉🫶 @Cynthia Erivo #onyxstorm #fourthwing #ad ♬ original sound – reece

The question is, who would she play? TikToker @itsyaseminleyla speculates that she’d be the best Sgaeyl, and I’ve found a potential clue that could back this up. On her new album cover, Replay, she literally wears wings (hello, Sgaeyl).

Cynthia would have the best husky voice for the smart-mouthed dragon. If they cast her, they had better give Sgaeyl more lines. Xaden’s dragon just doesn’t get enough air time in the books (and yes, I know Sgaeyl would hate to be referred to as ‘Xaden’s dragon.’ Don’t tell her I told you that).

Admittedly, I know the wing connection is a stretch, but it’s very interesting that Yarros and Cynthia follow each other.

Even if she doesn’t play Sgaeyl, I would love to see her as my idol Professor Devera — who goes against everything she once believed in by joining (and teaching Battle Brief to) the rebels because it’s the right thing to do. What a badass.

Violet Sorrengail: Mackenzie Foy

@shu.ai.art Violet Sorrengail | Fourth wing #booktok #booktokfyp #violetsorrengail #basgiathwarcollege #fantasybooktok #fantasy #fourthwing #onyxstorm #ironflame #dragon #rebeccayarros #tairn #andarna #букток #фэнтези #четвертоекрыло ♬ Breakfast – Dove Cameron

The next cast clue came from ELLE, where they discovered that Twilight star Mackenzie follows Yarros AND posted Onyx Storm to her Instagram story. Fans speculate that Mackenzie will play Violet Sorrengail due to her small scribe-ish features.

@svns3tzfilm shes so pretty help #svns3tzfilm #thenutcrackerandthefourrealms #mackenziefoy #mackenziefoyedit #renesmeecullen #foryoupage #fyp #edit #edits #clarastahlbaum #nutcrackerandthefourrealmsedit #renesmeecullenedit #foryou sc emscnpck audio @𝐊 𝐈 𝐓🎧 ♬ original sound – matyy💫

Mackenzie also rides horses, which means she has the perfect dragon-riding form.

@mackenziexfoy #mackenziefoy #twilight #crepusculo #edwardcullen #renesmeecullen #viralvideo #robertpattinson #kristenstewart ♬ som original – kenzie

What I also found interesting is that she knows how to fight — no, really, just check out the video below. If that doesn’t give Violet, I don’t know what will.

You can watch Mackenzie, or should I say Violet, fight with the love interest (Xaden) in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

@singingusaaa #movie #fyp #mackenziefoy #clara #tiktok #usa #thenutcrackerandthefourrealms ♬ original sound – singixvjs99

Dylan: Dylan Efron

Well, the Fourth Wing cast just got even more interesting. The Traitors star Dylan Efron (AKA Zac’s little brother) confirmed that he’d be down to star in the TV show.

“Oh, hell yeah! Sign me up,” he told Page Six at the Clarins ICONS event.

Dylan’s one condition? He’d be happy with “pretty much anyone but Dain.”

Even so, some fans still think Dylan best suits Dain, stating on TikTok: “This man would defend and protect the Codex before anyone else.”

@anaszabo13 Hear me out…. #dylanefron #thetraitors #thetraitorsus #casting #fourthwing #onyxstorm #ironflame #xadenriorson #greenscreen #booktok #bookish ♬ Ordinary Feb 14 – alexwarrenupdates

However, Dylan’s made it pretty clear that he’s not down for that character (even though Dain does get a redemption arc in Onyx Storm).

Plus, would someone destined to play Dain post about listening to Fourth Wing (another easter egg??) smut? It doesn’t fit into his character, Dian would be appalled by the saucy scenes (at least, publicly).

@dylanefron Hardcore smut was a weird choice #fourthwing #booktok #running ♬ original sound – Dylan Efron

There’s one character that I feel like everyone is missing, who Dylan would be perfect for. I’ll give you a hint… he’s got the same name.

That’s right, Dylan, the first heartbreak we get in Fourth Wing. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, you’ve probably forgotten on purpose to protect yourself. Apologies in advance for the reminder.

Dylan is the guy we’re rooting for at Parapet, who becomes besties with Violet and Rhi (who Yarros makes us believe will be a part of THE trio.) Sike, it’s Ridoc instead.

“See you two on the other side,” Dylan tells Violet and Rhi.

Dylan ultimately falls to his death, wearing a ring chain around his neck — the same ring that he was going to propose to his girlfriend with after graduation. Even worse? His mum tried to stop him from joining the Rider’s Quadrant for months.

@addie_lopez Him and so many others 😮‍💨 #fourthwing #dylanfourthwing #booktok #rebbeccayarros #fourthwingseries #fantasybooktok ♬ original sound – funnyvideos

His death sets the scene for the brutality of Basgaith War College — and tells readers early on that you shouldn’t get too attached to characters (which was probably a warning about Liam, RIP), or you’ll be left exposed.

Violet soon learns this in Iron Flame, when she purposefully doesn’t learn the first year’s names (except Sloane, of course), so she’s not weakened by their deaths.

My takeaway here is simple — if Dylan’s character isn’t in the TV show played by Dylan Efron, I’m going to scream.

Who is working on Fourth Wing?

There are multiple big names working on the Fourth Wing TV show.

@nicolina.marie Latest details on the Fourth Wing TV show! #fourthwing #rebeccayarros #onyxstorm ♬ original sound – Nicolina | 📚🧚🏼‍♀️✨

Moira Walley-Beckett will be the showrunner of Fourth Wing. Our beloved book is in good hands, as she has experience transforming books into TV shows — including Anne With An E.

Elizabeth Raposo will be an executive producer. We should get some great fighting and riding scenes from Raposo, as she’s previously worked on successful action franchises such as Mission: Impossible, Transformers, and A Quiet Place.

Stefano Agosto will also be an executive producer. He chronicled Muhammad Ali‘s life in The Greatest, which he will need to do with the five books in The Empyrean series.

Luckily, Yarros and her publisher Liz Pelletier will also be executive producers, so they can steer the film toward what us fans want (and deserve).

Will there be multiple seasons of Fourth Wing?

Yes, there can be multiple seasons of Fourth Wing as Amazon MGM Studios and Outlier Society own all the rights to Yarros’ books (yup, even the ones she hasn’t written yet).

@britandco Replying to @Shan🎀 #greenscreen we simply cannot wait any longer!!! #fourthwing #mackenziefoy #joshheuston #ironflame #fourthwingtvshow #rebeccayarros #onyxstorm #michaelbjordan ♬ Welcome to the Fourth Wing – lauren &lt3

When will the Fourth Wing TV show be released?

The Fourth Wing TV show release date hasn’t been announced yet, nor have they started filming.

However, as soon as I hear anything, I’ll update you guys.

In the meantime, check out Fourth Wing merch below.

Fourth Wing merch

Fourth Wing dragon sprayed edges

BookTok will be so jealous of your customised edition of Fourth Wing, especially when they see the dragons on the edges. Tairn, is that you flying around??

Iron Flame page art

If the throne scene had you screaming along with Violet, then these Iron Flame page overlays will get your toes curling. It comes with a set of six images that you can pop in the book to help you really feel what’s going on — vibrator not included.

Onyx Storm custom book slip and map set

Not only does this Onyx Storm deluxe set come with the book AND custom slip, but it also has a box to hold all three books. Even better? The Empyrean series holder has a map inside, which you can refer back to when you’re trying to work out where on earth the characters are.

Tairn dragon book nook

If you’d prefer a more 3D way to hold your books, then Tairn will guard them for you. Look at his cute little claws and tail, just don’t tell him I told you he was cute.