Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya
Takes Book Fourth Wing Prime Video TV

Fourth Wing fans slam Violet and Xaden casting, but these posts might change your mind

I can see the vision

Daisy Phillipson
16th October 2026, 17:04
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We now know who’s playing Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson in Prime Video’s TV adaptation of Fourth Wing. And if you’re not happy at first glance of Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya, there’s something you should see. 

Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy book series centres on the 20-year-old Violet, who is forced to attend Basgiath War College, where students are trained to become dragon riders. Once you enter, there’s only two ways out: either you graduate or you die. It’s here that she meets the mysterious Xaden, who becomes a major part of her story. 

Given how wildly popular the Fourth Wing books are, when news that Prime Video is adapting it into a series dropped earlier this year, fans were apprehensive. And this week, we finally found out who will be taking on the roles of the two leads. 

According to Variety, Violet is being played by Esther McGregor, Ewan McGregor’s daughter who’s also starred in Babygirl and We Were Liars. Meanwhile, the role of Xaden is going to Emilio Sakraya, a singer whose acting credits include Rhinegold, Tribes of Europa and Warrior Nun.

Here’s the thing: when the official announcement was made, the actors’ headshots were used. And it’s safe to say the fandom had something to say about the characters they’d pictured in their heads for the past few years. 

As one said on X, “This is the worst casting for the TV show, did Rebecca Yarros approve of these because that is not Violet and Xaden. The majority of comments are angry or disappointed ones. What a way to kill the show in Season 1.”

“So disappointed! He’s more like Bodhi than Xaden. And she’s not Violet,” wrote another. “I hope they cast natural hazel-eyed actress and not too tall. This is the worst casting for such hyped book.”

A third added, “Unbelievable how hard they try to ruin absolutely everything with atrocious casting,” and a fourth went as far as to say the show is already “dead”. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by General Production Studios (@generalproductionstudios) 

Although there’s disappointment, some fans think the photos being shared alongside the casting news aren’t doing either actor justice. And that a quick look at their social media accounts tells a very different story.

For context, Violet is described in the books as petite, with pale skin, hazel eyes and long brown hair that fades to silver at the ends. Meanwhile, Xaden is tall and muscular, with black hair, tawny-brown skin and dark eyes flecked with gold.

So it’s understandable that readers have very specific ideas about how the characters should look. But as some fans have pointed out, there’s a lot more to Esther and Emilio than the two headshots currently doing the rounds.

@esther.mcgregor

I had a pet snake and it died because it didn’t have a butthole. #snakes #sadness

♬ They dont have any aRmS – ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

Over on Instagram and TikTok, Esther leaves a completely different impression. In one black-and-white photoshoot for a production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, she’s sporting darker hair. 

Meanwhile, her TikTok videos give a better sense of her personality and how she comes across on camera – things you can’t really judge from one photo.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Emilio Sakraya (@emilio_sakraya_) 

It’s slightly different for Emilio, who had already been fancast in the role for some time. However, now it’s confirmed, people are revisiting his social media channels and realising how perfect for the role he is.  

His Instagram gives a much better idea of how he could pull off Xaden’s imposing physical presence. The actor regularly shares gym and workout photos, showing off his muscular build.

But it’s his pinned promo for the Netflix series Sixty Minutes that really has fans sold. “Ok, he can be Xaden,” wrote one, while another said, “Yeah.. sold after watching this. Definitely our Xaden.”

@emilio.sakraya

Die Zeit läuft ab und der Kampf beginnt! 60 Minuten, ab 19.Januar nur auf netflix!!! @NetflixDE

♬ Originalton – Emilio Sakraya

Others have been sharing mockups of Esther in a Violet-style wig, with one writing, “The truth is: this Violet as I pictured her, but it’s also a poorly chosen picture. One AI edit I found, taken from a still from one of her TikTok’s, makes it better. I trust her acting. Emilio is great casting. We’ll just have to see!”

So, until we have a proper first look at the two leads in their costumes, let’s maybe hold off on declaring the Fourth Wing adaptation a disaster based on a couple of headshots.

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Featured image credit: TikTok/@esther.mcgregor/@emilio.sakraya