books is one of the most exciting romantasy TV shows. Since series like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses have been gaining traction, now is the perfect time for these fantasy romance projects to be brought to life onscreen. Additionally, with The Witcher ending in the next few years, Netflix needs a fantasy TV replacement.
Though the casting for Saeris Fane, the protagonist of Quicksilver, will be vital to the show's success, it's exciting to contemplate who will be tapped to play Kingfisher, her charming and mysterious love interest. Described as tall, striking, and in possession of a classically chiseled face, Kingfisher is detailed clearly enough to envision him but also leaves plenty open to interpretation for the show. While actors like Henry Cavill or Aaron Taylor-Johnson might initially come to mind, there are many other actors who would be perfect for the role and could do justice to the character.
10 Timothée Chalamet
Known for Dune (2021)
It will be interesting to see if Timothée Chalamet wins Best Actor at the 2025 Oscars, as Chalamet has come close before but still hasn't managed to clinch the top prize. This is surprising considering that Chalamet is one of the most popular and in-demand actors of his generation, seamlessly embodying every character he takes on. He's been involved in multiple genres, from sci-fi films to period pieces, and never fails to earn the title of heartthrob while he's onscreen.
His work in Dune and Dune: Part 2 is a strong argument in favor of his playing Kingfisher, even though the actor has avoided television up to this point. However, playing the space prince, Paul Atreides demonstrates his ability to work within the speculative fiction genre and exist naturally in otherworldly stories. Additionally, Chalamet's work in both Little Women and Call Me By Your Name shows that he's a compelling romantic lead and has great chemistry with a wide variety of scene partners.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Dune (2021) |
83% |
90% |
9 Charles Melton
Known for May December (20230
Charles Melton might have started his career in teen drama TV shows like Riverdale, but he's come a long way since then, starring in the critically acclaimed May December in 2023. Acting in this film demonstrated a new side of Melton that audiences hadn't seen before, which would lend itself to more serious work in the future. While the TV adaptation of Quicksilver won't be as heavy as May December, Kingfisher does carry significant emotional weight inside him, and the actor who portrays him must know how to handle this.
Saeris is in her early 20s in the books, meaning both she and Kingfisher should read as adults, not teens, in the TV show.
However, the melodrama and romance of Riverdale is what sets Melton apart in the race to play Kingfisher. One of the most appealing parts of the book is that Kingfisher and Saeris are both adults, though Kingfisher is a much older Fae, giving them both maturity and experience. Saeris is in her early 20s in the books, meaning both she and Kingfisher should read as adults, not teens, in the TV show. Melton's background in teen romance TV shows and evolving onscreen presence gives him an edge as Kingfisher.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
May December (2023) |
91% |
65% |
8 D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
Known for Reservation Dogs (2021–2023)
Though D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai is best known for playing Bear Smallhill in Reservation Dogs, one of the best TV shows of the 2020s so far, the young actor has been branching into the film world as well. Starring alongside Maddie Ziegler in the 2023 coming-of-age film Fitting In and the Hell of a Summer, Woon-A-Tai is making his mark on the industry. As he begins to age out of these high school roles, a great transitional project for him would be the Quicksilver show.
If the series decides to lean more into a youth-oriented story since Quicksilver is part of the young adult genre, Woon-A-Tai would be the perfect fit for Quicksilver. As Bear in Reservation Dogs, Woon-A-Tai was able to balance the serious emotional journey the character goes on with an easy charm and humor that was vital to the cast's dynamic. Though he's been pivoting to film since Reservation Dogs ended, this fantasy TV show would be an exciting return to the small screen and an interesting challenge for the actor.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Reservation Dogs (2021–2023) |
99% |
91% |
7 Darren Barnet
Known for Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)
Though it wasn't too long ago that Darren Barnet was playing a teenager in Netflix's Never Have I Ever, the actor could establish his maturity and further cement his relationship with the rom-com genre in Quicksilver. Almost all of his recent roles have been romantic leads, from Paxton in Never Have I Ever to Jonathan in Anyone But You. However, almost all of these projects have been firmly rooted in reality, whereas Quicksilver would let Barnet explore a new genre while maintaining his romance roots.
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Having already starred in a Netflix original, it makes sense for Barnet to come back to the streamer on Quicksilver. Of course, the decision behind Kingfisher's casting will come down to who's cast as Saeris and their chemistry. However, Barnet has proved himself capable of creating chemistry with everyone with whom he shares the screen. It wouldn't be a stretch for Barnet to embody another character known for their charm and attractiveness.
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Never Have I Ever
- Release Date
- 2020 - 2023-00-00
- Showrunner
- Lang Fisher
WHERE TO WATCH
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Never Have I Ever (2020–2023) |
94% |
86% |
6 Nicholas Galitzine
Known for The Idea of You (2024)
As funny as he is charming and engaging, Nicholas Galitzine was at his best in the 2024 adaptation of the beloved book The Idea of You. This wasn't the first time that Galitzine stepped into the role of romantic leading man, as he was also part of another screen adaptation of an iconic YA novel, Red, White & Royal Blue. With all of this experience bringing book characters to life and such an established history within the romance genre, it would make a lot of sense to see Galitzine as Kingfisher in Quicksilver.
Quicksilver is a great The Idea of You. Though Quicksilver is fantasy, the dynamic between Saeris and Kingfisher has a forbidden element similar to the age gap in The Idea of You. What made Galitizine so well-suited to bringing the role of Hayes Campbell to life was the fact that he takes his characters and their stories seriously but is able to find the fun and humor in them at the same time. This sense of comedic timing is essential for making otherworldly narratives like Quicksilver work.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
The Idea of You (2024) |
81% |
66% |
5 Caleb McLaughlin
Known for Stranger Things (2016–Present)
It's sometimes difficult to see the young actors who got their start as children on Stranger Things as adults, but many of these performers are well into their early twenties. At 23, Caleb McLaughlin is ready to make the transition out of these high school roles and establish himself as a leading man in exciting new works. Since Stranger Things is coming to an end soon with season 5, McLaughlin could easily take on a new show, leaning even further into the fantasy side of speculative fiction.
As his career progresses, it will be interesting to see if McLaughlin decides to continue working within the genre space.
Some of his exciting recent roles in movies like The Book of Clarence and Shooting Stars have proven that McLaughlin has a good eye for projects he wants to be a part of. Though Quicksilver would be another fantasy TV show with Netflix, McLaughlin knows this is something he can handle, and that this can help him in his rise to fame as a star of TV and film. As his career progresses, it will be interesting to see if McLaughlin decides to continue working within the genre space.
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Stranger Things
- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Showrunner
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
WHERE TO WATCH
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Stranger Things (2016–Present) |
91% |
90% |
4 Sang Heon Lee
Known for XO, Kitty (2023–Present)
As one of the central love interests in the Netflix series XO, Kitty, Sang Heon Lee shines. He plays Min-ho, the aloof but irresistible foil to the bubbly and frantic Kitty (Anna Cathcart). Though this starring role in XO, Kitty, is one of his first major roles, he immediately stands out onscreen and proves himself to be a worthy romantic lead. The series has been a major hit for Netflix, as season 2 recently dropped and further cemented the chemistry between Lee and Cathcart.
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Love triangles are one of the most classic romance tropes in the book. In XO, Kitty Lee navigated the melodramas and miscommunications of his relationship with Kitty successfully throughout the show. This makes it clear that he would be just as prepared to transform into Kingfisher and take part in an enemies-to-lovers arc. Kingfisher isn't too different from Min-ho, as both characters keep their emotions close and are hesitant to let anyone in until they meet the right person.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
XO, Kitty (2023–Present) |
81% |
63% |
3 Jacob Elordi
Known for Euphoria (2019–Present)
Physically, Jacob Elodri is the tall, strong, and imposing figure that it's easy to imagine Kingfisher embodying in Quicksilver. Jacob Elordi's best movies and TV shows take advantage of his stature to either subvert audience expectations or give him power during intense scenes. In the years since Elordi rose to fame for his role in the teen drama Euphoria and the YA romance movie The Kissing Booth, the actor has been a part of many interesting and unexpected projects, showing that he wants to work with visionary filmmakers.
Quicksilver will likely strike a tone similar to a high fantasy version of Euphoria and could be a great opportunity for Elordi to play the hero.
Quicksilver will likely strike a tone similar to a high fantasy version of Euphoria and could be a great opportunity for Elordi to play the hero. In many of his projects, Elordi has played an intimidating and scary character, keeping the audience on edge throughout the story. While Kingfisher is dangerous, it doesn't take long for him to melt the hearts of the reader and Saeris. Since he's such a recognizable actor, it would be exciting to see what Elordi does to disappear into the role.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Euphoria (2019–Present) |
88% |
84% |
2 Keith Powers
Known for Uglies (2024)
Having already played the love interest in a screen adaptation of a YA book, Keith Powers makes a lot of sense as the actor to play Kingfisher. Though Uglies wasn't well-received, it wasn't the fault of Powers or any other cast member. Netflix should take the critical failure of Uglies as a lesson on how not to approach the material for Quicksilver. Casting Powers as Kingfisher could be a great way for Netflix to give the actor a better vehicle worthy of his talents.
Before Uglies, Powers also starred in the rom-com The Perfect Find, as well as the action-adventure movie The Tomorrow War. Though Powers fits into any genre, his background in romance and action makes it clear that Quicksilver would fit into his exciting filmography. Additionally, while Powers is recognizable, he isn't a major star, so he could rise to prominence with Quicksilver and fully embody Kingfisher without his past characters influencing how the audience feels.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Uglies (2024) |
16% |
43% |
1 Michael Cimino
Known for Love, Victor (2020–2022)
Michael Cimino's breakout role in the TV series Love, Victor might have been cut short after three seasons, but that doesn't mean he's been forgotten. He was also a part of the cast of Never Have I Ever, making him something of a teen dramedy icon. Now that these series are over, it's the perfect time for Cimino to anchor his own show again, as he proved he had the chops to do this with Love, Victor. However, this time, the fantastical elements of Quicksilver will elevate the project.
Since his past work incorporated plenty of romance, Cimino could take the next step and delve even further into the genre in the show.
Love, Victor struggled to find an audience because it was a spinoff of a movie without the original character. Cimino's performance as Victor was colored by Nick Robinson's work as Simon in the film Love, Simon. If he played Kingfisher in Quicksilver, he would have the chance to stand on his own and not be in the shadow of another actor. Since his past work incorporated plenty of romance, Cimino could take the next step and delve even further into the genre in the show.
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Love Victor
- Release Date
- 2020 - 2021
- Network
- CBS
- Showrunner
- Isaac Aptaker
- Directors
- Isaac Aptaker
WHERE TO WATCH
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Love, Victor (2020–2022) |
92% |
85% |
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