In Gwendolyn Clare’s debut novel for young adults, Ink, Iron and Glass, words have power. They can create new worlds, enable you to travel in unique ways, and bring life to sentient beings in our own image. And like with any limitless power there are those who seek to protect and those who seek to destroy. Elsa, our female lead who just so happens to be a POC, is the former. Guided by her mother she uses her powers of scriptology to explore the world around her. And when her mother is kidnapped it’s up to her to figure out who is behind the destruction of words and the power they hold behind them.
To help you better visualize this amazing book we put together a list of people that we feel fit these characters. Some you might have heard of and others are just beginning their careers or have never dipped their toes past modeling. But maybe this is their chance and maybe it’s our time to include more diverse characters in the media that we consume, even if it’s in a book.
Here are our fan favorites to play the cast of Gwendolyn Clare’s Ink, Iron and Glass:
Elsa
Played by Sharmina Harrower
Why We Love This Pick:
I’m going to be honest with you, finding a person to play Elsa, the lead character, was harder than any other casting. She had to be a woman of color with dark hair, clear green eyes, a sharp chin and cheekbones. When I stumbled upon Harrower, after an afternoon scouring through Pinterest, I was relieved that she ticked off all my boxes and a bit saddened that it took so long. And I could’ve taken the easy way out and cast an actress with a lighter complexion. But that’s not what Gwedolyn Clare’s book is about, nor is it how I envisioned Elsa and her struggles to fit in.
Harrower is the kind of character I’d love to see more of in books, TV shows, and movies. She’s representation and we can always use a little more of that.
P.S. The green eyes were courtesy of a little Photoshop. Harrower could wear contacts, right? Or she could be like Harry Potter and have his mother’s eyes despite…not having his mother’s eyes.
Leo
Played by Cole Sprouse
Why We Love This Pick:
Despite how you feel about The CW’s Riverdale, there’s no denying that Sprouse has the ability to channel charisma one second and a pointed anger at things that aren’t just in the very next second. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody days are over and we’ve been left with an actor who has the smile, attitude, and perfect hair to brush out of his eyes just like Leo does in the book.
Porzia
Played by Maia Mitchell
Why We Love This Pick:
Like Porzia, Mitchell knows how to play aloof, headstrong, and caring in one package. Yes, she matches up with the proper age bracket to play this character but it’s the actors ability to express different emotions that makes her a good pick and the Porzia we need.
Faraz
Played by Daje Barbour
Why We Love This Pick:
Faraz was the one person who made Elsa feel like she wasn’t so much of an outsider. He shared the same dark complexion and sharp features that she had and could be mistaken for a man of her home world. When I came upon Barbours photo I knew that he would be the one to play Faraz in this fancast. And I know this might sound cheesy, but there’s something about the way that Barbour holds himself, a presence, that makes me feel like he would be the perfect balance that Leo and Porzia need in this adventure with Elsa. See, cheesy.
Jumi
Played by Tuba Buyukustun
Why We Love This Pick:
This was another difficult find because she had to look like the actress that was playing Jumi’s daughter Elsa. Both actresses shared the same sharp cheekbones and pointed jaw. They even kind of share the same lips. And despite the fact that their hair might be different I think that they’re a unique match. Mother and daughter don’t necessarily have to look like each other completely and Elsa’s paternal side could be the factor that makes them a bit different. Either way, I’m loving this choice and see the potential they have!
P.S. Like Harrower I lightened up her eyes a bit to match her daughter. Photoshop is God.
de Vries
Played by Ben Kingsley
Why We Love This Pick: I love this pick because all I had to do was put “man with white Victorian moustache” into Google and Kingsley popped up. It was like he was waiting for me and to play this role. The fact that Kingsley is an amazing actor who can adapt to whatever role he’s given, makes this a two-for-one deal that I can’t pass up on when it comes to who plays de Vries.
Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare is now available for purchase.
Looking for more book content –
- Summer of Sarah MacLean: A Rogue by Any Other Name
- Guest Post: Laura Hankin, author of ‘HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT’
- Turning The Pages: ‘UNPregnant’ by Jenni Hendricks
- Excerpts From ‘When The World Doesn’t End’ by Caroline Kaufman
- Marie Lu Answers Our Question About Returning To The ‘LEGENDS’ Series
- EXCLUSIVE: Sara Faring Talks ‘The Tenth Girl’ & We Review
- Book Signings: The Pros and Cons
- Turning the Pages: What Came Before ‘TATBILB’
- Turning the Pages: ‘Save The Date’ By Morgan Matson
- Guest Post: Adrienne Kisner Talks About The Writing Process
- ‘How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation’ Book Review
- Exclusive Interview: Author Sophie Cameron
- ‘This Heart of Mine’ is All About Heart & Moving On Together
- ‘Ink, Iron, and Glass’ is the Representation Steampunk Needs
- Turning The Pages: ‘By The Book’ by Julia Sonneborn
- Turning The Pages: ‘She Regrets Nothing’ by Andrea Dunlop
- Turning the Pages: ‘This Is Not A Love Letter’
- Exclusive Interview: ‘London Belongs to Me’ Author Jackie Middleton
- “The Lost Season of Love and Snow” by Jennifer Laam Review
- Turning the Pages: ‘The Dirty Book Club’ by Lisi Harrison
- Turning the Pages: ‘A Dangerous Year’ by Kes Trester
- Turning the Pages: ‘Dare to Fall’ by Estelle Maskame Made Us Fall Hard
- Turning the Pages: ‘All or Nothing At All’ by Jennifer Probst
- Turning the Pages: K.A. Tucker’s ‘Until It Fades’
- Turning the Pages: ‘Second Chance Summer’ by Liora Blake
- Turning the Pages Review: ‘Borrowed Souls: A Soul Charmer Novel’
- Turning the Pages: You Won’t Want to Miss ‘Public Relations’
- Exclusive Interview With Perfect Author – Cecelia Ahern
- We Spoke With Author Jennifer Smith To Celebrate Windfall
- Turning The Pages: A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
- Turning the Pages: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
- Turning the Pages: 10 Things I Can See From Here
- Turning the Pages: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
- Turning the Pages: Empress of a Thousand Skies Review
- Turning the Pages Review: Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame
- Kami Garcia and Jonathan Maberry Discuss Their Favorite X-Files Episodes
- Turning the Pages: The Lovely Reckless By Kami Garcia
- Three Dark Crowns Just Didn’t Hit Home For Me
- It Ends With Us Is The Best Book We Heave Read So Far This Year…
- We Talk With Author Ilana Manaster About ‘Doreen’
- Author Catherine Egan Interview: We’re Talking ‘Julia Vanishes’
- We Talk With ‘Breaker’ Author, Kat Ellis