With Empire of Storms out this week, we decided it was time to revisit the news that the Throne of Glass series was optioned for a television series! My friend Eunice and I started discussing who we’d love to see cast in the show, and have decided to share our favorite choices with you. And so, our #braincast was born.
Caelena Sardothien
Claire Holt
Eunice: Claire Holt, of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals fame, is our top choice for Caelena! Claire definitely has the defiant, badass tough chick persona going on, but also the underlying, emotional vulnerability and sensibility that drives Caelena as a character.
Natascha: Agreed! Claire has the vulnerable look that totally can fool you into thinking she is not a badass lady who will take you down.
Nehemia Ytger
Lupita Nyong’o
Eunice: The regal Lupita Nyong’o is our first pick for Nehemia! Lupita has the poise, grit, and grace needed to play Nehemia, a princess of Eyllwe, proven in her performances for 12 Years A Slave and Eclipsed. We definitely feel Lupita would be able to pull off the smarts, cunning, and moxie needed for Nehemia.
Natascha: The only person that came to mind when I think of Nehemia is Lupita. She has grace; she has the brilliance needed; she is the total package. Eunice and I went back and forth on some other actresses, but really there is no denying that Lupita is Nehemia.
Dorian Havilliard
Daniel Sharman
Eunice: Teen Wolf and The Originals star Daniel Sharman would be our first choice for Dorian! Loyal, kind, and a secret bookworm, we can totally see Daniel as Caelena’s BFF, the lonely and frequently misunderstood Crown Prince of Adarlan.
Natascha: Dorian was harder for us, but Daniel brings it. I could see why Caelena might be swayed into a romance with Dorian with Daniel playing him.
Chaol Westfall
Colton Haynes
Eunice and Natascha: Arrow and Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes is who we see as the tough, but dreamy Captain of the Guard, Chaol Westfall. Colton’s action roles in supernatural television series such as the The Gates and Teen Wolf, and superhero television series Arrow, definitely makes him suited to play Chaol. Not to mention, he can bring a dark, fierceness needed to the role.
Sam
Julian Morris
Natascha: Julian Morris was a natural first choice for Sam. The Pretty Little Liars and Once Upon a Time star captures the boy next store quality (f the boy next store was a trained assassin) that would make Caelena fall in love.
Manon Blackbeak
Li Bingbing
Eunice: Heralded as one of China’s most recognizable action actresses, we think Li BingBing would be perfect for our favorite, vicious Ironteeth witch, Manon Blackbeak! With a impressive body of work ranging from femme fatale Ada Wong in Resident Evil: Retribution, lethal witch Ni-Chang in The Forbidden Kingdom, and cunning Princess Anle in Palace of Desire, Li has the acting chops, resourcefulness, and badassery for Manon.
Sorscha
Shay Mitchell
Natascha: After much deliberation, Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell is our top choice for Glass Castle healer, Sorscha! We wanted someone with the right look that would pull our Dorian in
Eunice: Shay has the overall gentleness, sweetness, and compassionate disposition, but also the overall strength of character and hidden depths for Sorscha.
Arboynn Hamel
Gael Garcia Bernal
Eunice: Golden Globe winner Gael Garcia Bernal is who we envision for Arboynn Hamel, Caelena’s mentor, also known as the King of Assassins. As a versatile actor with a wide range of work, we think Gael could definitely pull off the image of the strict, brutal, and unforgiving head of the Assassins’ Guild, but demonstrate his charismatic, softer side as well.
Natascha: Stay with us, here! This casting choice went deliberate off book because of how truly awesome Bernal is. If you have seen Mozart in the Jungle (which I recommend), Bernal brings an energy and dynamic to the screen. And we all love a super smokin’ villain.
King of Adarlan
Anthony Head
Natascha & Eunice: Veteran actor Anthony Head (of Buffy: the Vampire Slayer and Merlin fame) would be our top choice for the ruthless King of Adarlan, and Dorian’s father. As seen in his performance as the coldhearted king of Camelot, Uther Pendragon, Anthony would definitely be able to showcase the tyrannical cruelty, skilled manipulation, and general callousness needed for the King of Adarlan.
Lysandra
Holland Roden
Eunice: Teen Wolf star Holland Roden is our top choice for Lysandra, the beautiful yet deadly courtesan of Madame Clarisse’s brothel. Holland would have the grace, charisma, and smarts to pull off Lysandra’s character.
Natascha: Not to mention that she is truly stunning and could hide a devious mind. When we talked about Lysandra’s character, we knew we needed someone stunning, could bring a hidden vulnerable side, and look like she would list your throat if you crossed her. Holland was the perfect choice.
Rowan Whitethorn
Alexander Skarsgard
Eunice: True Blood star Alexander Skarsgard is our first pick for Rowan, a Fae Prince and warrior. Alexander’s stint as Eric Northman, a battle-ready vampire, gives him an ideal background for playing Rowan, a stoic, somewhat cold-heartened Fae warrior, who gradually demonstrates a softer side to Caelena.
Natascha: YAAZZZ! We need more Skarsgard in our life.
Aedion Ashryver
Freddie Stroma
Natascha & Eunice: Freddie Stroma, from Harry Potter and Game of Thrones fame, is who we see for Aedion, a fearsome general, known as The Wolf of the North. Freddie looks like he could pull off the confidence, strength, and unfailing loyalty for Aedion. We went through a lot of actors. We wanted someone who fit with our choice of Caelena. So hard to find the right actor, but we were impressed with his acting on Unreal.
Queen Elena
Cate Blanchett
Eunice: Veteran actress Cate Blanchett is our top choice for Elena Havilliard, a demi-Fae and wife of Gavin Havilliard, the first King of Adarlan. Cate would definitely fit the characteristics of the noble, wise, and brave first Queen of Adarlan who comes to Caelena’s aid.
Natascha: Have you seen Cate Blanchett? She looks like a fairy queen.
Duke Perrington
Sam Heughan
Natascha: Here’s the thing: Sam is killing it on Outlander. So though I do love him as Jamie, and I can see him as a leading man, he would kill it as Duke Perrington. Without spoiling anything, this is role that can grow and as his schedule permits, could work with his Outlander shooting. Sam could bring a very dark edge to this character. Not to mention, I love a hot villain.
.jpg)
