Stormlight Archives Apple TV Series Is Coming, But It Has 1 Big Challenge To Overcome

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Fans of Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive, are thrilled about the upcoming Apple TV+ adaptation. Sanderson is also famous for his Mistborn books and the Cosmere universe. The Hollywood Reporter announced in January 2026 that Apple TV+ had secured the rights to adapt the Cosmere books, starting with The Stormlight Archive. This is great news for dedicated fans, especially after a previous development fell through in 2024, but successfully bringing this complex world to the screen will be a significant undertaking.

In addition to announcing Apple TV+ is creating shows based on Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe, it’s been revealed Sanderson will oversee all adaptations, acting as the central creative force behind the franchise. One of the biggest hurdles the series faces is casting, as the ethnicities of the characters are deeply important to the story and the world of Roshar – the primary setting for these shows.

Many of the races in the book don’t have direct parallels in the real world. The author, Brandon Sanderson, has described one character, Shallan, as having Irish and Japanese heritage. Most characters, however, belong to a race called the Alethi, which is inspired by a mix of Asian-Hawaiian, East Indian, and Filipino cultures.

Back in April 2020, Brandon Sanderson shared (through Arcanum) that he’s usually against changing a character’s race, particularly for characters he feels strongly about. He specifically mentioned that he envisions the main Alethi characters as Asian. He’s also considered Dave Bautista for the role of Dalinar and Alex Landi for Adolin.

In December 2025, Brandon Sanderson shared an update on his Mistborn and Stormlight projects. He confirmed they’ve entered what he calls “Step Four,” which, according to his 2024 newsletter, means the projects are now in the scripting phase – still very early in development.

Every Possible Casting for the Main Characters of ‘The Stormlight Archive’

Kaladin Stormblessed

Kaladin Stormblessed is a key character in the epic series, The Stormlight Archive. He’s an Alethi man with dark eyes, originally nicknamed “Stormblessed” because of his incredible fortune in combat. Unfortunately, his luck didn’t last, and after being betrayed by a general he served, he begins the first book as a slave.

Avan Jogia, a Canadian actor who’s appeared in shows like Orphan Black: Echoes and Ghost Wars, is a strong contender to play Kaladin in the upcoming Apple TV+ series. Fans think he physically resembles the character, and his past performances suggest he can portray the role’s complex emotions.

Fans have also suggested British actor Luke Pasqualino as a possible choice for the role. Many believe his performance as the intense swordsman D’Artagnan in The Musketeers demonstrates the naturally serious and thoughtful look that would suit the character of Kaladin.

Shallan Davar

Shallan Davar is a key character in The Stormlight Archive. She’s a bright and clever young woman from Jah Keved, and the daughter of the deceased Brightlord Lin Davar. Her main ambition is to become Jasnah Kholin’s ward – Jasnah being a renowned, though controversial, scholar.

Shallan is a complicated and controversial character, so finding the right actress to play her could be difficult. However, Annalise Basso and Ceara Coveney seem like good possibilities.

Shallan is described as a slender, pale woman who appears young and intellectual, and Annalise Basso would be an excellent choice to play her. Basso is skilled at portraying characters who are both fragile and intelligent, with complex inner lives – qualities that fit Shallan’s complicated personality perfectly.

Ceara Coveney recently gained recognition for her role as Elayne Trakand in Prime Video’s Wheel of Time, demonstrating her ability to portray nuanced characters. Her performance as the intelligent, politically astute, and emotionally layered Elayne made her a popular choice among fans, and suggests she would excel as Shallan.

Dalinar Kholin

As a huge fan of epic fantasy, I’ve become really fascinated by Dalinar Kholin. He’s one of the high princes of Alethkar, and actually the uncle of the king. What’s so compelling is his backstory – he used to be this incredibly feared warrior known as The Blackthorn, and he and his brother Gavilar conquered a ton of lands. But when the story begins, he’s changed. He’s still a powerful leader, but he’s way more reflective and starts questioning everything around him – the traditions, the beliefs… it’s a really interesting character arc.

Finding the right actor to play this character is really important. Dalinar plays a huge role in both The Stormlight Archive series and the larger Cosmere universe, so they might cast a very well-known actor.

As a huge fan of both Brandon Sanderson and Dave Bautista, I remember being thrilled when Sanderson mentioned back in May 2019 that Bautista was his dream choice for a role in The Stormlight Archive adaptation. He specifically said he thought Bautista had the perfect combination of intensity to play a truly intimidating warrior, but also the presence to convincingly portray a thoughtful leader. Sanderson also highlighted Bautista’s strong performances in other films as a major reason why he felt he’d be a perfect fit.

If Oscar Isaac isn’t available, Hiroyuki Sanada, known for his role in ‘Shogun,’ would be a great choice. He naturally carries himself with a royal air and has a commanding presence, fitting for the character of Dalinar. At 65, Sanada is also the right age to play the character as written in the books.

Adolin Kholin

Adolin Kholin is a skilled Alethi prince, famous for his swordsmanship and dueling abilities. Despite being raised as the son of the formidable Blackthorn, he’s known for his strong moral compass and surprisingly humble personality. He’s a vital ally to both Kaladin and Shallan.

Finding an actor to play the charming and popular high prince shouldn’t be difficult, but fans already have specific choices in mind for the character Adolin in the new series.

Alex Landi, who you might recognize from shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Fire Island, really embodies the charming and romantic qualities of the character, making him a strong choice for a leading role with emotional complexity. Dallas Liu, known for his work in Avatar: The Last Airbender, is also a great fit, bringing a lot of energy and experience playing engaging main characters.

Jasnah Kholin

Jasnah Kholin is one of the smartest characters in Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive. She’s a princess of Alethkar, famous for her knowledge as a scholar and historian, and eventually becomes a powerful Knight Radiant of the Elsecaller order.

Because of her role as Elektra in Daredevil, where she played both a skilled fighter and a character with emotional vulnerability, Elodie Yung is a popular choice among fans for the role of Jasnah. Viewers appreciate her ability to convincingly portray strong, capable women who possess hidden complexities and can quickly defeat opponents.

Adria Arjona, recently seen as Bix Caleen in Andor, is another strong possibility for the role. She consistently delivers compelling performances as smart, self-possessed women who expertly navigate complex emotions, which would make her a great fit for Jasnah.

Navani Kholin

Navani Kholin is a powerful character in The Stormlight Archive and a respected member of Alethi high society, often called the Queen Mother. She’s depicted as being between 50 and 60 years old, and fans have suggested Ming-Na Wen and Sandra Oh as potential actresses to play her.

Ming-Na Wen has consistently shown she excels at portraying strong, resourceful women with hidden strength, like her characters Agent Melinda May in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fennec Shand in The Book of Boba Fett. Because of this, she’s a natural fit for the role of Navani Kholin.

Sandra Oh, the Canadian-Korean actress, would also be a good choice for the role. She consistently portrays strong, intelligent, and determined women, qualities that align well with the character of Navani.

Sylphrena

Sylphrena is an important character in The Stormlight Archive. She’s a living honorspren who gives Kaladin the ability to use Stormlight, a source of magical power. She appears as a bright, glowing, blue-white being and always seems cheerful and energetic.

Actresses such as Karen Fukuhara (from The Boys) and Auliʻi Cravalho (who starred in Moana) are strong contenders for the role of Sylphrena. They both have a youthful energy and can convincingly portray a playful, childlike quality. Importantly, they’re also skilled at delivering emotionally powerful performances, which would be a great asset to the role.

Up-and-coming actress Momona Tamada, who gained recognition for her role in The Baby-Sitters Club, is also a strong contender to play Slyphrena. Her blend of innocence and playful energy would make her a great fit for a character like Slyphrena, who serves as a guide or moral center.

Torol Sadeas

Torol Sadeas is a major antagonist in the first few books of The Stormlight Archive, and fans anticipate a well-known actor will be cast to play him. For those unfamiliar with the series, Torol is a powerful leader, known as the Highprince of Sadeas, and wields a special power as a Shardbearer. After the death of King Gavilar, Torol often clashes with Dalinar regarding the governance of the kingdom of Alethkar.

Benicio del Toro and Benedict Wong are strong candidates to play Torol in the upcoming Apple TV+ series, thanks to their history of convincingly portraying captivating villains.

As a huge film fan, I’ve always been captivated by Benicio del Toro’s ability to play villains – he just nails those charismatic, clever, and subtly dangerous characters. That’s exactly what I envision for Torol, this really menacing strategist. And Benedict Wong? He’s brilliant at playing those powerful, no-nonsense types who have a ruthless side they’re not afraid to show. It feels perfect for a character like Torol, someone who really enjoys playing people and turning them against each other.

Wit / Hoid

Wit is a popular and mysterious figure in the Cosmere universe, famous for being a brutally honest advisor. He’s known for delivering sharp, often uncomfortable, truths through insults and playful mockery.

The character known as Wit in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive is actually named Hoid, and his history is central to the larger story across all of Sanderson’s Cosmere books. Because Hoid appears in some form in every Cosmere novel, the actor chosen to play him in the upcoming adaptation may also appear in Apple’s Mistborn movies.

Tom Hiddleston, known for his role in Loki, and David Tennant, famous for Doctor Who, are at the top of the list of actors who could brilliantly portray a character like Wit – someone who’s naturally funny, sarcastic, and quick with playful remarks.

Hiddleston has demonstrated his talent for playing charming villains who can seamlessly switch between concealing and revealing their emotional side, especially in dramatic moments. Meanwhile, Tennant’s work on shows like Jessica Jones and Doctor Who proves he can bring intense energy and quick, clever dialogue to a role when the story calls for it.

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2026-02-06 02:09