All About the New ‘Fourth Wing’ TV Series: Rebecca Yarros Says ‘No Notes’ After Reading the Pilot Script
Plus, behind-the-scenes details on the adaptation's potential new showrunner
In recent years, the romantasy genre—a fusion of fantasy and romance—has taken the world by storm and Rebecca Yarros’ international bestseller Fourth Wing is leading the way. Not only is her novel a bona fide BookTok sensation, selling more than 12 million copies, but the third installment in The Empyrean series, Onyx Storm, was the fastest-selling adult novel in the last 20 years. Now, legions of loyal fans are rejoicing because Fourth Wing is being adapted into a TV series with Amazon MGM Studios. Keep scrolling to find out everything we know about the Fourth Wing TV show, including its rumored cast, plot details, release date, latest behind-the-scenes updates and more.
The ‘Fourth Wing’ TV show: the latest behind-the-scenes updates
Amazon MGM Studios optioned the rights to the first book in Yarros’ steamy The Empyrean series and Michael B. Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, is set to produce the TV series. In addition, Michael B. Jordan, Outlier Society president Elizabeth Raposo, Entangled Publishing’s Liz Pelletier and Rebecca Yarros are also executive producers.
Just a few weeks ago, Deadline reported that the Fourth Wing adaptation was getting a new showrunner. Turns out, Jac Shaeffer—the creator behind shows like Agatha All Along and WandaVision—has inked a new deal with Amazon MGM Studios and is currently in discussions to join the high-profile romantasy series as not only writer, but executive producer and showrunner. As of publication, no official decisions have been announced.
This exciting update comes on the heels of recent news that Moira Walley-Beckett left the project. Walley-Beckett was originally tapped as showrunner and executive producer last July. In addition to the potential new showrunner, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy’s production company, Kilter Films (Fallout, The Peripheral), has joined the production team alongside Outlier Society.
“They’re an absolutely incredible team and I can’t wait to see the adaptation of Fourth Wing brought to life!” exclaimed Yarros in an Instagram post when the news was first announced back in 2023. “I have all the faith in the world in them. And, I get to executive produce too! Words can’t portray just how excited I am.”
What is ‘Fourth Wing’ about?
Brimming with a cast of unforgettable characters, spicy romance and epic adventure, Yarros’s Fourth Wing takes readers on an adrenaline-fueled ride from start to finish. The story follows Violet Sorrengail, a scribe who was supposed to live a quiet life among books. That is, until the commanding general—who’s also Violet’s mother—ordered her to become a dragon rider instead. Now, Violet must fight her way to the top and hope that her fierce and brooding enemy, Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader, doesn’t kill her in the process. What follows is a battle of strength, knowledge, trust and simmering tension.
Who will play Xaden? Plus, other cast updates!
Ever since the series was announced, fans have been consumed with dreaming up fancasts and debating who should play the roles of FMC (female main character) Violet and the book’s resident “shadow daddy” Xaden. Recently, fan speculation grew online surrounding the potential casting of Australian Heartbreak High star Josh Heuston or German actor Emilio Sakraya.
While there’s no definitive answer as to who will play Xaden, Heuston has confirmed he’s aware of the rumors. “I think it’s a great world, the books are great, I’ve read them all now,” Heuston told Marie Claire in an interview. Other hints that have fans squealing: Heuston was just spotted reading The Empyrean series in public and he shared a recent Instagram story of himself boxing with the caption “violence.” Eagle-eyed fans hint this could be a subtle nod to Xaden’s character—as it’s his nickname for Violet in the novels. As of now, no actors have been officially confirmed for any Fourth Wing roles, but the fandom waits with bated breath!
Rebecca Yarros shares her reaction to the TV pilot
In January 2025, Yarros was on her press tour in Los Angeles for the release of Onyx Storm when she shared show updates for fans—including her reaction to reading the pilot for the first time. In an interview with Variety, the New York Times bestselling author also said she spilled the details to the show’s team on “the five-book arc” for the entire Empyrean series.
She said, “They have the five-book arc and the general big points of what happens in between each book, but they don’t have the specifics between Book 4 and Book 5, because I’m getting ready to go to my crazy plotting board and plot out every single event that happens in each book, so that I make sure that I’m within my two books there. But they have general ideas.”
Prior to Walley-Beckett’s departure, Yarros praised her respectful approach to handling the book’s details within the adaptation and the script. “It really is phenomenal,” she said when asked about the pilot. “I was kicking my feet the entire time I read it. Really, just no notes. I think it’s always scary to give your book baby to a person and say, ‘Hey, tell me what you think is important.’ But she nailed it and she gets it.” As of publication, Yarros has not commented on Walley-Beckett’s exit. There are also currently no reports indicating that the pilot script itself has been scrapped, though a new showrunner may certainly lead to revisions.
When will the ‘Fourth Wing’ TV series be released?
Right now, the series is still in the early stages of development, but it’s a promising sign that Yarros has already read—and loved—the pilot. It’s estimated the show won’t arrive for at least another year or more. But the good news is the fourth installment of The Empyrean series could be out by then (online speculation estimates it will be out by late 2026), so fans will have more than enough content to devour in the meantime.
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