Onyx Storm has taken the reading world… well… by STORM. The third installment in Rebecca Yarros’ wildly popular Fourth Wing series has sent fans into a frenzy, dominating bestseller lists and proving that “romantasy” is more powerful than ever.
On January 21st, Yarros released Onyx Storm, and readers wasted no time lining up to grab a copy. The novel quickly became the fastest-selling adult book in two decades, shattering records with over 2.7 million copies sold in its first week, according to The New York Times.
Now, the fan-favorite fantasy is making its way to the screen. Amazon MGM Studios and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society are bringing the magic to life in an upcoming TV adaptation. Excitingly, “booktok” has already taken off on their “dream fan-casts.”
What is the Fourth Wing Series all about?
The Emperyion series, a five-book saga, is a perfect mix of Veronica Roth’s Divergent and Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses. The series follows dragon rider Violet Sorrengail forced to join an elite dragon-riding war college. Violet is thrown into a brutal world where only the strongest survive.
Taken place inside of Basgiath War College, Violet is quick to discover that there are only two ways out: graduate or die. She gets caught up in political intrigue, deadly trials, and a slow-burning romance with Xaden Riorson. The Fourth Wing series is filled with high-stakes battles, magical bonds with dragons, and forbidden love.
As Violet navigates the relentless challenges of Basgiath, she must confront her own physical limitations and inner doubts while uncovering dark secrets that threaten the very foundation of her world. With its richly built fantasy setting, complex characters, and unexpected twists, the Empyrean series has solidified its place as a must-read for fans of immersive, emotionally charged fantasy adventures.
Who is leading the TV series?
In October 2023, Deadline announced that Amazon MGM Studios and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society were adapting Fourth Wing into a Prime Video series. Adding to the excitement, Rebecca Yarros herself will serve as an executive producer. She has ensured the adaptation will stay true to the epic world she created.
Outlier Society has done many projects like the “Creed” movie series, and HBO “Fahrenheit 451” series. In July 2024, they announced Emmy Award winner, Moira Walley Beckett will be the showrunner for the new Fourth Wing adaption.
As of February, Outlier Society has yet to announce the casting or release date, but that hasn’t dampened fans’ enthusiasm. With the buzz from Onyx Storm’s record-breaking release, excitement for the series remains at an all-time high—even without a premiere date in sight.
What do we know about the cast?
Recently, Rebecca Yarros embarked on her Onyx Storm press tour, sharing just enough—and yet plenty—about the TV adaptation. When interviewers asked about any “non-negotiables” for the portrayal of leads Xaden and Violet, she made one thing crystal clear: “My only non-negotiable is that Xaden isn’t white.”
Yarros keeps pushing her hope of diverse representation. During her press tour, she says, “I feel like I’m always learning how to keep it more inclusive but also how to keep it safe.” Her books represent people of color, the queer community, and those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). All of which rarely get represented in novels of this kind.
We’ve heard some Fourth Wing rumors!
Because of the work of some sneaky Fourth Wing super fans, there are a few ideas for who may be involved in Yarro’s story. They were quick to spot a clue in Heartbreak High star Josh Heuston’s Instagram bio. They noticed a dragon emoji in his bio, a possible reference to the Fourth Wing series. Additionally, Heuston was followed by Yarros and producer Michael B Jordan. A coincidence? I think not.
The same dragon emoji theory has fans buzzing over another possible contender—German actor Emilio Sakraya. The 28-year-old fueled speculation when he posted a workout photo on Instagram, captioned simply with a green dragon emoji.
While an emoji is such a small teaser, these superfans will stop at nothing to learn the inside scoop behind their favorite book series. Are they dropping hints? Playing along? Or just having fun with the hype? For now, the mystery remains.
What are the Most popular fan casts?
Now for the fun part! TikTok and other social media platforms have posted their fair share of “dream” casts. Because Yarros does a great job and opening each character up for interpretation, these castings range all over the place. Here are the few that have been the most popular.
Violet Sorrengail
Violet is described in Fourth Wing as a petite, violet-eyed, silver-haired young girl. However, this can still be adapted into a TV series. Violet has EDS, which makes her fragile, but she still performs well in combat and physical activity. The ideal casting would be someone who could perfectly represent this type of attitude.
Danielle Rose Russell was an early fan-favorite. She is most known for her role in CW’s supernatural drama series, The Originals. Being someone who has played a role in a supernatural drama makes her a perfect actress.
Other stars put forward by fans also include Freya Allan, Mackenzie Foy, India Eisley, and Sadie Sink. Ultimately, the perfect actress must capture Violet’s balance of fragility, fierceness, and heart while bringing the action and romance to life. Who would be your dream pick?
Xaden Riorson
Xaden plays the classic warrior male character in Fourth Wing. All of his secrets and hidden motivations, make his romantic relationship with Violet confusing and emotional. He is physically described as a tall, muscular, and strikingly good-looking man. Overall, Xaden is the epitome of the dark tortured hero, and finding an actor to portray him well is crucial to the storyline.
Some of the most popular fan casts for Xaden—aside from Josh Heuston and Emilio Sakraya—include Ariyan Akaltun, Mason Gooding, and Matthew Daddario. As one of the series’ central characters, Xaden already lives vividly in readers’ minds, making casting speculation even more intense. Each of these actors embodies key traits essential to bringing his character to life, fueling the ongoing debate over who would be the perfect fit.
A show everyone is going to love
Turning a beloved book into a TV show is no small feat, but Rebecca Yarros is making sure fans get the adaptation they’ve been dreaming of. She’s working closely with the team to bring Fourth Wing to life in a way that stays true to the magic of the books.
With its perfect blend of action, romance, fantasy, drama, and mystery, the series is set to captivate both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Even those who haven’t read the books will find themselves drawn into its thrilling world.
Prime Video hasn’t spilled the details on filming or a release date for the Fourth Wing series just yet. However, with a showrunner officially on board, it’s clear Amazon is making moves to get this series off the ground—and fast!
