Let’s get to know Emilio Sakraya
Fans of Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing have spoken, and their dream casting for the brooding, tattooed powerhouse Xaden Riorson has a clear frontrunner: Emilio Sakraya. The German actor has captured imaginations across the book community, with readers convinced he’s the perfect embodiment of the shadow wielder himself. But who exactly is this rising star that’s got everyone talking?
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From his action-packed roles in Netflix hits like Warrior Nun and Tribes of Europa to his impressive martial arts background, Sakraya brings exactly the kind of intensity and physicality that Xaden demands. You’ve got an actor who’s as multifaceted as he is charismatic.
Whether you’re already deep in the fancast rabbit hole or just curious about the man fans are championing to step into the rider’s quadrant, here’s everything you need to know about Emilio Sakraya.
All the fun facts you need to know about Emilio Sakraya:
He is a cancer
He was born on 29 June 1996—he’s 29-years-old.
He has a sweet tooth
You can often find Emilio Sakraya carrying a dessert—doughnuts, ice cream, you name it.
He is German
The Berlin native is the product of a cross-cultural union—his mother, Maryem Moutaoukkil, brings Moroccan-German roots, while his father hails from Serbia.
He gained international recognition for his role as JC in Netflix’s Warrior Nun
He also turned heads as Kiano in Tribes of Europa, while his lead role in the adrenaline-fueled Sixty Minutes showcased his action-hero credentials.
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He’s a two-time German karate champion
Before he was landing roles on screen, Sakraya was landing kicks in the ring. At just 14, he won the German Championship in full-contact karate, a title he claimed twice.
He’s a serial sport-hopper
He bounces between sports constantly—padel, weightlifting, running, maybe gauntlet training, skiing, the list goes on.
He’s also a musician
Sakraya released his first songs in 2019, including tracks like “Bisschen allein,” “Berlin an der Spree,” and “Drauf bist.
He’s the leading fan-cast favourite for Rebecca Yarros’ “Fourth Wing” book-to-screen adaptation
The casting momentum reached fever pitch when eagle-eyed fans spotted Sakraya himself holding a copy of Fourth Wing, fueling speculation.
He is a friend of the House, Louis Vuitton
He’s a recognised face at Louis Vuitton fashion events, frequently attending their menswear shows.
