Quicksilverby Callie Hart is one of the most popular romantasy books of the past few years, immediately developing a large fanbase who are waiting for the upcoming sequel,Brimstone, and the television adaptation.Netflix’s adaptation of theQuicksilverbooksis one of the most exciting romantasy TV shows. Sinceseries likeFourth WingandA Court of Thorns and Roseshave been gaining traction,now is the perfect time for these fantasy romance projects to be brought to life onscreen. Additionally, withThe Witcherending in the next few years, Netflix needs a fantasy TV replacement.
Though the casting for Saeris Fane, the protagonist ofQuicksilver, 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.
10Timothée Chalamet
Known for Dune (2021)
It will be interesting to see ifTimothée 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 inDuneandDune: Part 2is 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 bothLittle WomenandCall Me By Your Nameshows that he’s a compelling romantic leadand has great chemistry with a wide variety of scene partners.
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9Charles Melton
Known for May December (20230
Charles Melton might have started his career in teen drama TV shows likeRiverdale, but he’s come a long way since then, starring in the critically acclaimedMay Decemberin 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 ofQuicksilverwon’t be as heavy asMay 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 ofRiverdaleis 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 inteen romance TV showsand evolving onscreen presence gives him an edge as Kingfisher.
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8D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
Known for Reservation Dogs (2021–2023)
Though D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai is best known for playing Bear Smallhill inReservation 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 filmFitting Inand the upcomingHell of a Summer, Woon-A-Tai is making his mark on the industry. Ashe begins to age out of these high school roles,a great transitional project for him would be theQuicksilvershow.
If the series decides to lean more into a youth-oriented story sinceQuicksilveris part of the young adult genre, Woon-A-Tai would be the perfect fit for Quicksilver. As Bear inReservation 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 sinceReservation Dogsended,this fantasy TV show would be an exciting return to the small screen and an interesting challenge for the actor.
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7Darren 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’sNever Have I Ever, the actor could establish his maturity and further cement his relationship with the rom-com genre inQuicksilver. Almost all of his recent roles have been romantic leads, from Paxton inNever Have I Everto Jonathan inAnyone But You. However, almost all of these projects have been firmly rooted in reality, whereasQuicksilverwould 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 onQuicksilver. Of course,the decision behind Kingfisher’s casting will come down to who’s cast as Saerisand 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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6Nicholas 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 bookThe 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 thisexperience 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 inQuicksilver.
Quicksilveris a greatbook to read afterThe Idea of You.ThoughQuicksilveris fantasy, the dynamic between Saeris and Kingfisher has a forbidden element similar to the age gap inThe Idea of You. What made Galitizine so well-suited to bringing the role of Hayes Campbell to life was the fact thathe 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 likeQuicksilver work.
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5Caleb McLaughlin
Known for Stranger Things (2016–Present)
It’s sometimes difficult to see the young actors who got their start as children onStranger Thingsas 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 rolesand establish himself as a leading man in exciting new works. SinceStranger Thingsis 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 likeThe Book of ClarenceandShooting Starshave proven that McLaughlin has a good eye for projects he wants to be a part of. ThoughQuicksilverwould 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.
4Sang Heon Lee
Known for XO, Kitty (2023–Present)
As one of the central love interests in the Netflix seriesXO, 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 inXO, 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, asseason 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. InXO, KittyLee 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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3Jacob Elordi
Known for Euphoria (2019–Present)
Physically, Jacob Elodri is the tall, strong, and imposing figure that it’s easy to imagine Kingfisher embodying inQuicksilver.Jacob Elordi’s best movies and TV showstake advantage of his stature to either subvert audience expectations or give him power during intense scenes. In the years sinceElordi rose to fame for his role in the teen dramaEuphoriaand the YA romance movieThe Kissing Booth,the actor has been a part of many interesting and unexpected projects, showing that he wants to work with visionary filmmakers.
Quicksilverwill likely strike a tone similar to a high fantasy version ofEuphoriaand could be a great opportunity for Elordi to play the hero.
Quicksilverwill likely strike a tone similar to a high fantasy version ofEuphoriaand 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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2Keith 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.ThoughUglieswasn’t well-received, it wasn’t the fault of Powersor any other cast member. Netflix should take the critical failure ofUgliesas a lesson on how not to approach the material forQuicksilver. Casting Powers as Kingfisher could be a great way for Netflix to give the actor a better vehicle worthy of his talents.
BeforeUglies,Powers also starred in the rom-comThe Perfect Find,as well as the action-adventure movieThe Tomorrow War. Though Powers fits into any genre, his background in romance and action makes it clear thatQuicksilverwould fit into his exciting filmography. Additionally, while Powers is recognizable, he isn’t a major star, so he could rise to prominence withQuicksilverand fully embody Kingfisher without his past characters influencing how the audience feels.
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1Michael Cimino
Known for Love, Victor (2020–2022)
Michael Cimino’s breakout role in the TV seriesLove, Victormight have been cut short after three seasons, but that doesn’t mean he’s been forgotten. He was also a part of the cast ofNever 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 withLove, Victor. However, this time, the fantastical elements ofQuicksilver 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 upcoming show.
Love, Victorstruggled 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 filmLove, Simon. If he played Kingfisher inQuicksilver, 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 upcoming show.
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