Fantasy Cast
Football season is just around the corner, which means one thing: Fantasy Football is upon us. As football fans start putting together dream teams for their fantasy leagues, I thought it would be fun to share my dream cast choices for Unholy Empire: The Burning of Saint-Gilles.
Character concept art generated by AI based on my written descriptions, but I'd like to work with an artist to create original artworks.
The man himself demands an actor who can bring the heat—a commaning physical presence with the ability to be both menacing and seductive, with a touch of irresistible charisma. And unlike "canon Dracula," Dragomir has a sweet, vulnerable side. If any of these spectacular A-listers were to portray Dragomir, I'd die from happiness.
Fitz
"The Orphan"
Timothée Chalamet
Assad Zaman
César Domboy
Timothée Chalamet has been Fitz since the very beginning. In early 2020, I was looking for a French actor who fit the general idea I had for the character, and that's when I discovered Timothée. As a first-time fiction author, it helped to have a visual representation for the character and Timothée was perfect. Shortly afterwards, in April 2020, the first images of Denis Villeneuve's Dune were released and that's when the world really started obsessing over Timothée (understandably). Timothée will always be Fitz in my mind—but after seeing Assad Zaman in AMC's Interview with the Vampire and César Domboy in Outlander, I would be the luckiest writer in the world to have any of these actors play my beloved Fitz.
Annabella
"The Huntress"
Hungarian Vezér
Bérénice Marlohe
Zazie Beetz
Olga Kurylenko
She's beauty and grace—and she'll cleave your head clean off if you cross her. Annabella embodies female power, and so do these actors. It would be an honor to stand in awe of these women as our kin's queen. Nothing more can really be said—each of these women are already queens and would be perfect Annabellas.
Adélaïse
"The Widow"
Julia Garner
Ruby Rose
Ava Morse
Described in the book as "plain" (which is a strange word I could write a dissertation about), these actors (and Adélaïse herself) are anything but. As we follow Adélaïse's story, she goes on a path of self-discovery and ultimately learns about the fickle nature of subjective "beauty" standards. But make no mistake: each of these actors are objectively and subjectively stunning. The talent and aura that each of them brings to the screen is what makes them perfect casting choices for this young woman. Adélaïse is strong-willed, courageous, and even occasionally impulsive. She loves and feels deeply, sometimes more than she can handle, but she never falters in her purpose. You'd best get behind her or get the hell out of her way.
Sir Daniel
Glen Powell
Liam Hemsworth
Lucien Laviscount
Daniel is a fun character to cast: just think of the most obnoxiously beautiful men in the world and you're already most of the way there. Daniel is an incredibly charming character you can't help but love. He's ridiculously handsome (so much so that it's part of Adélaïse's subplot) but he is more than just a perfectly pretty face: Daniel brings a warmth to the story, rounding out the cast with someone who can make you laugh even when things are dark. These beautiful men would do Daniel justice and we'd all get to swoon together.
He's gruff, he's quiet, and he's at his core a protector. Hugh's presence in any scene is like a gravitational force, grounding us with his profound wisdom. But he's a dad through and through—his extensive brood of fledglings is a testament to the character's soft side. Karl Urban's wit and comedic timing would bring something new to the character that I would love to see. By now, we all know Pedro is the epitome of the gruff-but-sweet father figure archetype, and he'd be a marvelous Hugh. Finally, Thierry has a calming presence that fits so perfectly with the character. Any one of these actors would be the grounding, loving force we need.
Sister Nicolle
Anya Taylor-Joy
Morfydd Clark
Ruby Vizcarra
Nicolle is one of my favorite characters for her depth and her arc through The Burning of Saint-Gilles. On the outside, she's bristly and defensive, but on the inside, she's just as insecure and uncertain as the rest of us. Nicolle exudes confidence and austerity, and her devout faith is one of the many ways we get to see the character’s indomitable spirit. When we do get to see the woman behind the mask, we get a glimpse of her profound love and devotion. Nicolle is also written as a woman with Albinism and it would be really special to have an actor with Albinism portray her. As it stands now, there are far too few actors who fit the bill, and while I'm not familiar with Ruby Vizcarra's work, I would be ecstatic to have her play this character. Barring that, Anya is, of course, a super-A-list actor who I'd be lucky to have in my cast, and Morfydd is no stranger to Dracula: Morfydd played Mina Harker in the BBC Dracula series (which inspired my book ). Any of these actors would be incredible as Nicolle.
Tav
"The Marshal"
Gerard Butler
Kristofer Hivju
David Harbour
Tav is undeniably a little piece of my soul infused into this story. He's a big, burly, warmhearted Scotsman and probably far too much like Disney's Fergus in my mind. But, he's also one of the emotional cornerstones of the story and I hope readers will forgive the indulgence once they meet him. Tav's sweet temperament shines through even when you don't entirely understand his accent. So, naturally, if you know me at all, you know Gerard Butler is the obvious choice—that is hoping he'd be up for going full redhead for the role. And while Kristofer isn't Scottish, he's become the go-to guy for roles like this and I'd be tickled to have him play Tav. Finally, David's colossal screen presence would be a perfect fit for this character.
His Holiness Pope Honorius II
(Lamberto Scannabecchi)
Giancarlo Giannini
Liam Cunningham
Jeremy Irons
Lamberto, or His Holiness Pope Honorius II, is a reserved, quiet, unendingly sweet man with unquestionable morals and faith. He is kind, compassionate, and curious—a combination that makes for a wonderful pope. Each of these actors has a soft temperament as well as the quiet confidence one needs to be a great pope and to play this character well.
Peter is one of the most vibrant characters in the story. His devotion to his faith is undeniable, though his propensity for impulsive and emotional decision-making lands him in hot water. Any of these actors have the chops to portray a zealous and self-righteous monk so convincingly that we'll understand Peter's motivations, even if we don't always agree with his methods. The balance of zealotry with sympathy is a difficult tone to strike, and these men have the talent to pull it off.
Who doesn't love a good villain? Every one of these actors has already played some of our era's best villains. Brendan's on-screen energy would bring this character to life, bringing a manic zeal to his scenes. Brian and Mads both have a tendency to play their villains with a slower burn, bringing intensity through tension. Each actor would take a radically different approach to Cardinal Papareschi and I'm here for it—I want to see all three of them in the role.
And finally, our knight in shining armor. Everard is the real-life knight and Templar Grand Master Sir Everard des Barres. He's even-tempered and good-natured, and he's a great leader. Tom and Richard are practically Everard already, and have portrayed similar characters in the past. Jonathan Bailey has the look, the charm, and the chops to make this character his own and it would be a fun change of pace to see him in a role so different than what we typically see him in.
Copyright 2025 Rian C. Stone. All rights reserved.