Esther McGregor is reportedly set to play Violet Sorrengail in the upcoming Fourth Wing TV series, bringing one of the most popular fantasy heroines of recent years to the screen. The actress, known for We Were Liars and Babygirl, will reportedly star opposite Emilio Sakraya, who is expected to portray Xaden Riorson.
The casting news was reported by entertainment industry publications on October 15, 2026. However, Amazon declined to comment on the reports, so the lead roles have not been officially confirmed by the company.
The adaptation is based on Fourth Wing, the bestselling fantasy novel by Rebecca Yarros. Amazon MGM Studios has ordered the series for Prime Video, with Meredith Averill serving as showrunner and executive producer.
With dragon riders, dangerous military training and a complicated romance at its heart, the upcoming series has plenty to attract both longtime readers and new viewers.
Who Is Esther McGregor?
Esther McGregor is a British actress and model who has appeared in film and television productions across several genres. She is also known as the daughter of Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, whose career includes Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge!, and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Esther has gradually established her own screen career, taking on roles in independent films and streaming productions. Her appearance in Prime Video’s 2025 mystery drama We Were Liars introduced her to viewers familiar with the platform’s book adaptations.
She also appeared in the 2024 films Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman, and The Room Next Door, directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Earlier, she featured in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Her reported casting in Fourth Wing could give her a major opportunity to reach a wider international audience.
Esther McGregor’s Role in Fourth Wing
According to the casting reports, Esther McGregor will portray Violet Sorrengail, the central character in Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing.
Violet is an intelligent young woman who initially hopes to pursue a life devoted to studying history and becoming a scribe. However, her plans change when her mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, orders her to enter the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College.
There, Violet must survive brutal training, dangerous trials, and fierce competition to become a dragon rider.
Her journey is especially challenging because she was not originally prepared for the physical demands of the Riders Quadrant. She must therefore rely on her intelligence, determination, and ability to adapt to survive.
Violet’s character combines vulnerability with resilience, making her journey central to the novel’s appeal. Her relationships, personal growth, and struggle to survive also drive much of the story’s emotional tension.
For the television adaptation, the portrayal of Violet will be important in translating the character’s internal struggles and complex relationships from the page to the screen.
Emilio Sakraya Reportedly Joins as Xaden Riorson
German actor Emilio Sakraya has also reportedly been cast in the Fourth Wing TV series as Xaden Riorson, one of the novel’s most important characters.
Xaden is a powerful and experienced rider whose complicated background makes him a significant figure at Basgiath War College. His relationship with Violet develops amid suspicion, rivalry, and growing attraction.
The pair’s enemies-to-lovers dynamic is a major element of the book, blending romance with the dangers of their military environment.
Sakraya has appeared in productions including Tribes of Europa, Warrior Nun, and Those About to Die. His reported involvement alongside McGregor places two internationally experienced performers at the center of the adaptation.
As with McGregor’s role, however, the casting report has not been officially confirmed by Amazon.
What Is the Fourth Wing TV Series About?
Fourth Wing is the first novel in Rebecca Yarros’ The Empyrean fantasy series. Published in 2023, the book combines fantasy, romance, political conflict, and high-stakes action.
The story takes place in Navarre, where aspiring dragon riders train at the dangerous Basgiath War College. Candidates face demanding challenges, and failure can have fatal consequences.
Violet enters this world despite being better suited to academic life than the physically demanding path expected of riders. As she navigates the college, she encounters powerful rivals, develops complicated relationships, and discovers that survival requires more than physical strength.
Dragons are central to the story. Becoming a rider involves forming a bond with a dragon, a process that carries enormous risks and can determine a candidate’s future.
The novel also explores loyalty, family expectations, secrets, and the cost of power. These themes give the story more depth than a traditional fantasy adventure.
According to Amazon’s official series announcement, the adaptation will bring Yarros’ bestselling fantasy novels to Prime Video. The author is also attached as an executive producer, helping connect the television project to its literary source.
Who Is Behind the Fourth Wing Adaptation?
Amazon MGM Studios is developing the Fourth Wing television series for Prime Video.
Meredith Averill, known for her work on The Haunting of Hill House and Locke & Key, is adapting the novels for television. She will also serve as showrunner and executive producer.
Lisa Joy, co-creator of Westworld and an executive producer on Fallout, is set to direct the pilot episode. She will also executive produce alongside Jonathan Nolan and Athena Wickham through Kilter Films.
Michael B. Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo are executive producers through Outlier Society. Rebecca Yarros, Liz Pelletier, and Sherryl Clark are also part of the executive production team.
This combination brings together experience in fantasy, science fiction, and large-scale television storytelling.
The involvement of Yarros is particularly relevant because adapting a popular novel requires balancing the expectations of existing readers with the needs of a television audience.
When Will Fourth Wing Premiere on Prime Video?
Prime Video has not announced an official premiere date for Fourth Wing as of October 16, 2026.
Although the reported casting of McGregor and Sakraya marks an important development, further details about production and the release schedule remain outstanding.
The exact filming timeline, episode count, and additional cast members have not been established in the official information available.
Viewers should therefore treat proposed release dates circulating online as speculation unless Prime Video or Amazon MGM Studios confirms them.
The next major updates are likely to concern additional casting, production progress, and the eventual release schedule.
Why Esther McGregor’s Casting Matters
The reported casting of Esther McGregor adds a new chapter to the development of Fourth Wing, a fantasy property that has attracted a substantial readership since its publication.
For McGregor, the role could represent a significant step forward after appearances in productions such as We Were Liars and Babygirl.
Meanwhile, the reported selection of Emilio Sakraya introduces a performer with experience in European and international productions to the role of Xaden Riorson.
The adaptation also faces a familiar challenge for popular fantasy projects: recreating an imaginative world while preserving the emotional relationships that made the original story successful.
The dragons, dangerous training environment, and romance are all essential parts of the novel. At the same time, Violet’s personal development and the political tensions surrounding her journey will be important to the show’s wider narrative.
For now, readers and prospective viewers will have to wait for official casting confirmation and further production updates.