A Fourth Wing show is coming. Let us fan cast it. Obviously.
- Camila Buck
- Feb 19
- 8 min read
Unless you've been living under a rock (and who the hell would not want to do so in such horrible times, amiright?), you've probably seen or heard enough of The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, especially with the fandom storming social media, talking about the newest book that was just released almost a month ago to the date, Onyx Storm.
Yes, I'm talking about Fourth Wing.
More specifically, I'm talking about the lovely rumors surrounding casting for Amazon Studios' upcoming live-action adaptation of Fourth Wing, which was announced back in 2023, before Iron Flame had even come out that November. I, for one, cannot wait to see some of the scenes that live rent-free in my head come to life on the small screen - but I also worry.
Will they cast the right people?
Will these actors (whom I hope are both race and age-accurate choices) do justice to the incredible set of characters Rebecca Yarros has written for us? Will they deliver every sassy line, every sexy quip, and, more importantly, will they feel like the characters we see in the pages?
That is the biggest curse of every single live-action adaptation (other than horribly adapting the source material, of course): the casting. It really does matter. Especially when characters are described in such a detailed way that it practically paints a picture for you of who they are and what they look like. So, what better to do in order to ease our nerves while we wait for the current casting rumors to inevitably turn into soon-to-come news?
Well, we fan cast.
I say we because, to help me with this hefty task, I have summoned one of my best friends and favorite people in the universe (along with being the Site Expert for I Prefer Reading and an incredible writer herself) - my friend Ashley Skolrud. We each have different actors in mind for specific roles, and I have to say we've both chosen well.
Let's get to it, then.
Let the Fourth Wing Fan Casting Begin
Violet Sorrengail
Ashley: MIlly Alcock already has plenty of experience with dragons, so I might be slightly typecasting her by casting her as Violet - but it doesn’t keep her from being perfect for the role! She’s already proven she was ready to lead a franchise, being the face of Rhaenyra Targaryen for the first half of season 1 to House of the Dragon. That show also is what convinced me she’s perfect for Violet: she has both the vulnerability and the grit needed for the role - and I can already imagine the first scene of her emerging after threshing with Tairn and Andarna behind her. Also, I am aware she’s slightly too tall to be Violet - but it’s easy enough to make sets to make her look shorter than she actually is. Lord of the Rings taught us how to use visual tricks for height differences, and the practical effects will work just fine!
Camila: My choice for Violet has got to be Dove Cameron. I first saw her when she played Mal in Disney's The Descendants, and you cannot convince me she wasn't born to play Violet. She's a still-taller-than-me height of 5'2" and she just looks like Violet's attitude - which we all know she can deliver. She's incredibly talented, has a solid range, is absolutely beautiful, and oozes lethally sexy.
Xaden Riorson
Ashley: Am I aware Regé-Jean Page is about 15 years too old to play Xaden? Yes. Do I care? I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT. He has been who I have imagined as Xaden since the first book came out and is my mental image any time I read. Plus between him showing off his amazing brooding skills in Bridgerton, and his fantasy action skills in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I feel like Xaden would be perfectly in his skill set. Also, he’s insanely hot which is also a requirement for Xaden.
Camila: Xaden is one of those characters that, because of Rebecca's description of him, you just know what he's supposed to look like. And the face of Josh Heuston appeared before my eyes before I even knew what his name was. Though he will need contacts as Xaden's eyes are very much not blue, Heuston is quite literally what I imagined for him. A very close second, almost a tie is Charles Melton.
Dain Aetos
Ashley: You may be thinking, “Ash? Dain? Tom Holland as the character everyone hates? DAIN?” And my answer is yes because 1) I don’t hate Dain (anymore) and 2) Tom Holland RADIATES Dain energy. He very much has the look of an overprotective best friend who is easily manipulated by his Dad. With how amazing Tom’s acting is, I could see him handling Dain’s emotional arc and redemption fantastically in later seasons.
Camila: Fus-roh-DAMN if Thomas Doherty (hot damn) wasn't born to play Dain Aetos and make me hate my taste in men. In all seriousness, Thomas has more than just the *squeals* most perfect look for Dain (or, you know, in general) - he's got the skills and the range for Dain's complex redemption arc. Sure, he'd have to wear contacts, but who cares? So did Jonathan Bailey when he played Prince Fiyero in Wicked. Just sayin' (and daydreaming). Oh, and just like Ash, I also no longer hate Dain. I actually dare say I prefer him over Xaden. Fight me.
General Lilith Sorrengail
Ashley: Cate Blanchett. And Dragons. Need I say more?
OKAY I WILL. Cate Blanchett is an amazing actor who gives her everything to a role - and her role as Hela in Thor: Ragnarok is what makes me convinced she would do fantastic as Lilith. She has the seriousness and can carry the authority the General would need, while also having the underlying emotions that are necessary when Lilith is thinking about her daughters. She may not be the best mom, but she does love for her children to the point she would do anything for them. And Cate Blanchett would be able to expertly show off the balance.
Camila: The general requires someone who can play the parts of both mother and badass, and one name immediately came to mind - Margarita Levieva. I first saw her in The Acolyte, in the role of Mother Koril, a cranky Force-sensitive Zabrak witch, mother to twins Osha and Mae, and a complete badass. It's a no-brainer, especially when you take into account Margarita's range and talent.
Mira Sorrengail
Ashley: After watching Emma Corrin play Princess Diana, I knew they were going to have a long career. But after watching them in Deadpool and Wolverine, I want them in absolutely everything. Mira is such an interesting character, who is equal parts scary and loving. And I feel like this is a vibe Emma would be able to pull off fantastically. However, Emma and Milly also look like siblings, so I feel like casting directors need to take note of the similarities ASAP.
Camila: Sarah Jeffrey is my pick for Mira, a character I wish I could actually play myself (I am forever sad being an actress was not in the cards for me). She's already worked with Dove Cameron (my pick for Violet) before and they have really good chemistry onscreen. Sarah also has the range needed to look good while being a complete and utter badass.
Rhiannon Matthias
Ashley: Alexandra Shipp is an actress who has epic BFF energy, like we see in the Barbie movie, and also could easily beat you up, as seen in the X-Men movies. And whoever plays Rhiannon needs to be able to play BOTH, sometimes switching between one or the other within seconds. She’s such a talented actress, and I feel like she would truly shine as Rhiannon.
Camila: I remember watching The Descendants with my daughters and thinking Uma was such an underrated badass. China Anne McClain nails the badass with a purpose and leader roles and would be a wonderful fit for Rhiannon. She's also worked with Dove Cameron, Thomas Doherty, and Sarah Jeffrey before in the The Descendants series - their chemistry is pretty good.
Ridoc Gamlyn
Ashley: Ridoc is my absolute favorite character in the books. He is my peak book boyfriend. He is the love of my life. And so I took fan casting him seriously. And Michael Cimino is the perfect Ridoc, down to the floppy brown hair. The comedy work he did in Love, Victor and Never Have I Ever shows he knows his comedic timing, and his thirst traps show he oozes the sex appeal the character needs. I could easily see him as the comic relief of the Iron Squad, and he would be able to handle Ridoc’s arc perfectly.
Camila: I am very well aware that these are supposed to be young adults, not into their later twenties and up, but the only one I see as Ridoc on the highlighted pages of my Empyrean series books is the one and only Charlie Barnett. He won my heart with his performance in The Acolyte, a show I will be forever salty regarding its unnecessary cancellation. Charlie can deliver Ridoc's hilarious lines with ease and he'd breathe life into one of the franchise's most beloved characters so flawlessly, I can already see it. But, I really do have to give Ash props on her pick - Michael Cimino definitely screams Ridoc.
Imogen Cardulo
Ashley: Jenna Ortega with pink hair is something I absolutely want to see. But also, Jenna Ortega has the right vibes for Imogen. She scares me just enough in real life (not to mention in Wednesday) that I would 100% be intimidated by her playing Imogen. Could Jenna Ortega get me to go run every morning, even when I don’t want to? Yes. Could I see her attacking me? Yes. Could she rock Imogen’s signature hairstyle? Yes. Just someone give Jenna Ortega this role already, because I truly think she’s perfect.
Camila: Ok, so I have the biggest crush on Imogen. Yeah, yeah, Xaden this, Dain that. Imogen is it for me: tough-as-nails, no bullshit, strong, and fierce. If that doesn't spell out Florence Pugh, I don't know what does. Doesn't help that I've always called Florence my future wife, does it? Let me dream, let me dream.
Bodhi Durran
Ashley: First of all, I wanted to make sure my Xaden and Bodhi fancasts actually looked like cousins - and Mason Gooding and Regé-Jean Page look just enough alike I could easily see them as cousins. However, Mason Gooding has been an under-the-radar favorite of mine for years. He has amazing comedic timing, while balancing it with gravitas I feel is needed for Bodhi.
Camila: Bodhi resembles Xaden, and I always imagine Bodhi as a sweeter version of his older cousin. Zayn Malik could definitely pull it off - he and both Josh and Charles Melton look like they could be related and he just gives Bodhi vibes. Also - damn, that smile.
Jack Fucking Barlowe
Ashley: While I understand why Cam put Thomas Doherty as Dain, I can only see him as Jack Barlowe. Is it because I’ve only seen him in the Descendants movies? Possibly - however he has the same vibes as Dane DeHaan, the kind that screams he is born to play a villain. I could easily see him trying to push others off the parapet, and being Violet’s biggest nightmare. And I would love for him to fully embrace his vibes and go into his full Villain Era.
Camila: Dacre Montgomery is all I can see whenever there's a scene with Jack Fucking Barlowe. It both tracks and doesn't, as Dacre did play the cruel older brother to Max in Stranger Things and has shown us he most definitely has what it takes to make us d̶r̶o̶o̶l̶ tremble in fear, but with a face like that, it can be hard to be scary. But definitely not too hard for Dacre - he'd be one very convincing and, quite frankly, terrifying b̶e̶a̶u̶t̶i̶f̶u̶l̶ Jack.
Regardless of who you see in what part, one thing is for certain: we are all in for a treat. With Amazon Studios and MGM spearheading the project and the incredible Moira Walley-Becket in charge (her Breaking Bad episode only won an Emmy, no biggie), I have no doubts that we'll get a show worthy of the hype.
Until then, keep training for that parapet.
Do you agree? Do you have better picks? Let us know in the comments.
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