Development of the Fourth Wing television adaptation continues to gain traction as speculation intensifies around actor Josh Heuston’s potential casting as Xaden Riorson.
The adaptation of Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling Empyrean series is being produced by Amazon MGM Studios in collaboration with Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, with Moira Walley-Beckett attached as showrunner.
First announced in late 2023, the series is based on the romantasy saga that follows Violet Sorrengail’s perilous journey at Basgiath War College, where elite students are trained to become dragon riders. Set in a high-stakes fantasy world, the story combines military academy politics, magical warfare, and forbidden romance.
No official casting has been confirmed, though Josh Heuston’s name has been linked to either the role of Xaden or Bodhi. When questioned, Heuston commented, “You have to ask the scribes, I suppose,” further fuelling fan discussions.
Author Rebecca Yarros has publicly maintained her stance on accurate representation, stating that Xaden will be portrayed by a person of colour. “They know how staunch I am against whitewashing Xaden,” Yarros said, reaffirming the series’ commitment to diversity in casting.
Moira Walley-Beckett, best known for her work on Breaking Bad and Anne with an E, has earned high praise from Yarros for her handling of the adaptation. During the launch of Onyx Storm in January 2025, Yarros confirmed reading multiple drafts of the pilot script and described it as “phenomenal,” adding, “I kicked my feet the entire time—I love it.”
Production timelines remain under wraps, with no confirmed release date. The series is expected to follow the narrative arc of the five-book Empyrean series, which includes Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm.
Books four and five are currently in development.
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