Warning: The list contains some spoilers for Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass novels.
Hulu’s proposed Throne of Glass TV show seems to have been abandoned, but nothing is impossible, and producers may be searching for actors for the large cast sometime in the future. Throne of Glass is a bestselling fantasy series of eight novels by Sarah J. Maas, following various warriors and rulers coming together to take down an evil supernatural empire. Hulu is currently working on a TV show adaptation of A Court of Thrones and Roses, another series by Maas. If A Court of Thorns and Roses is successful, Hulu may revisit the idea of a Throne of Glass show.
The Throne of Glass cast comprises many characters who have a larger than life quality. Among them are several heirs who need to reclaim their thrones to save their kingdoms. Most of the characters are experienced fighters, but some are also brilliant politicians or have other skills such as healing and elemental magic. Characteristic of most young adult series, the majority of these characters who hold the fate of their world in their hands are somewhere between 18 and 25 years old.
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12 Florence Pugh As Aelin Galathynius
Best known for playing Amy March in Little Women (2019) and Yelena Belova in Black Widow (2021).
Florence Pugh is doubtlessly one of the most talented breakout stars of the past five years who can handle any role given to her. However, her past roles demonstrate her ability to be Throne of Glass’ protagonist Aelin, also known as Celaena Sardothien. Aelin is the long-lost heir to the throne of Terrasen and is on a mission to restore her kingdom to its former glory.
Throughout the series, Aelin copes with trauma from her family’s deaths and her kingdom being overthrown. She is also an extremely skilled assassin and has a ferocious yet magnetic personality. Some of Aelin’s character traits are reminiscent of Pugh’s MCU character Yelena, who escapes and then returns to destroy the Red Room.
11 Timothée Chalamet As Dorian Havilliard
Best known for playing Elio in Call Me By Your Name (2017) and Paul Atreides in Dune (2021).
Timothée Chalamet is another incredibly talented actor who can play virtually any character. Yet it would be amazing to see Chalamet reunited with his Little Women co-star Pugh if she was cast as Aelin, and he was cast as Dorian, the crown prince of Ardalan. Ardalan has been corrupted by evil forces and needs a strong ruler, which Dorian becomes. Chalamet has played a charismatic character in Little Women’s Laurie, but also a rising leader in Dune’s Paul Atreides. These attributes are important to Dorian’s character, making Chalamet perfect to play him.
10 Fabien Frankel As Chaol Westfall
Best known for playing Criston Cole in House of the Dragon (2022-Present).
Chaol is Dorian’s best friend, the king of Adarlan’s guard captain, and briefly a romantic partner of Aelin. He questions whether he should be loyal to the king or Dorian or Aelin. He can come across as irritating because he treats Aelin like an enemy for a brief arc, believing she is too powerful to be trusted. Fabien Frankel achieved his breakthrough playing the widely detested Criston Cole in House of the Dragon. However, Cole is also a character who struggles with conflicting loyalties. Frankel could play Chaol as a complex person who mildly annoys the audience before redeeming himself.
9 Halle Bailey As Nehemia Ytger
Best known for playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023), Nettie in The Color Purple (2023), and her musical career.
Halle Bailey has primarily played kind and generous characters in movies, including Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Princess Nehemia of Eyllwe cares deeply about her people, but she is also a shrewd politician. She comes to Adarland’s capitol Rifthold and deftly navigates court to help her own country. Bailey will likely be offered many roles in the coming years, but she would be great as Nehemia. It would be good to see Bailey round out her typical character archetype with moments of calculated scheming.
8 Henry Cavill As Rowan Whitethorn
Best known for playing Clark Kent in Justice League (2017) and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher (2019-Present).
Rowan is a 350-year-old Fae warrior, who becomes Aelin’s second in command and later her husband. He is regarded as one of the most powerful soldiers in existence in the Throne of Glass world. He has a dominating presence because he is very tall and has silver hair. Rowan is similar to other characters Henry Cavill has played, and Cavill pulled off platinum blonde hair in The Witcher. Cavill left The Witcher to pursue other opportunities, but he was still excellent as the star of a high fantasy series and would be a good choice to play Rowan.
7 Austin Butler As Aedion Ashryver
Best known for playing Tex Watson in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) and Elvis Presley in Elvis (2022).
Aedion is Aelin’s cousin who is fiercely dedicated to aiding her in reclaiming the throne. The cousins are described as strongly resembling each other – which, from a casting standpoint, means they both have blonde hair. With longer hair, Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler is the image of Aedion. In addition to Elvis, Butler starred in the highly acclaimed Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He also has a role in the upcoming Dune: Part Two, demonstrating his interest in expanding his career into sci-fi and fantasy.
6 Cailee Spaeny As Lysandra Ennar
Best known for playing Jane Gisburg in On the Basis of Sex (2018) and Priscilla Presley in Priscilla (2023).
After her complex performance as Priscilla, Cailee Spaeny has an assured career ahead of her. Casting directors would be mistaken not to consider her for Lysandra, Aelin’s right-hand woman. Lysandra is a courtesan in Adarlan’s and secretly a shapeshifter: She can take the shape of any animal or person, which is very useful in several battles. Lysandra has been abused all her life and became a defensive woman as a result. Playing Lysandra would give Spaeny the opportunity to utilize her experience from past roles, but also to grow as an actress by embodying a new character.
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5 Renée Rapp As Manon Blackbeak
Best known for playing Regina George in Mean Girls (2024).
Manon is the bloodthirsty heir to the Blackbeak Ironteeth witch clan, who learns to value things like friendship, love, and respect throughout the series. Renée Rapp would be a surprising casting choice for Manon – but not a bad one. Rapp has some sharp features that are well suited to Manon’s character. The only movie Rapp has been in is Mean Girls, reprising the role after starring in the Broadway musical. But Regina George is doubtlessly vicious, and it would be fascinating and hopefully rewarding to see Rapp channel that energy into a completely different character.
4 Olivia Rodrigo As Elide Lochan
Best known for playing Nini Salazar-Roberts in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019-2023) and her musical career.
Elide’s parents were Terrasen nobles and after their deaths, she was imprisoned by her uncle. Elide is seemingly unthreatening but is clever and knows how to lie in wait. Olivia Rodrigo would be ideal to play her. Rodrigo played Nini in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, who is passionate but initially not entirely confident in herself. This acting experience might help Rodrigo embody Elide’s “innocent” aspects, which cause people to underestimate her.
Rodrigo has expressed interest in returning to acting. “I think it can be easy to overlook because she’s a world-class songwriter, but Olivia’s actually an amazing actor,” said High School Musical showrunner Tim Federle (via Teen Vogue). Playing Elide would give Rodrigo the chance to demonstrate her acting talent separate from her singing and songwriting.
3 Zendaya As Yrene Towers
Best known for playing MJ Watson in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Rue Bennet in Euphoria (2019-Present).
Yrene is a healer who was educated at the Torre Cesme in the city of Antica. She falls in love and marries Chaol when he comes to the Southern Continent on a diplomatic mission. She is assertive, clever, and doesn’t take insults quietly. Zendaya is only improving as a dramatic actress, starring as Rue in Euphoria and the upcoming movie Challengers. She is more than capable of playing Yrene – and with her hair curled, she looks exactly like how Yrene is described in the books.
2 Bill Skarsgård As Erawan
Best known for playing Pennywise in IT (2017) and the Marquis in John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023).
Bill Skarsgård is known for playing monsters and villains, making him a perfect choice to play the Valg King Erawan, one of the series’ main villains. The Valg are demon-like beings from another realm who have invaded the characters’ home world and are trying to take over the continent of Erilea, where most of the events of the series take place. Their leader Erawan is described as having blonde hair and golden eyes. He is not unlike Skarsgård’s John Wick: Chapter 4 character the Marquis in appearance or disposition.
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1 Lena Headey As Maeve
Best known for playing Queen Gorgo in 300 (2006) Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones (2011-2019).
Queen Maeve is the other main villain of the Throne of Glass series. She is a brutal character who kills and tortures many people to gain more power. Maeve is essentially a supernatural version of Cersei Lannister, meaning there is no one better to play her than Lena Headey. Headey has had some other television roles since the end of Game of Thrones, but it would be amazing to see her return to an evil queen role as part of a collectively talented cast for a Throne of Glass TV show.
