The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping's Cast - Every Confirmed Actor & Who They're Playing

The cast for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is one of the most impressive ensembles the sci-fi franchise has ever had. The second Hunger Games prequel movie is the sixth installment of the series overall and is based on Suzanne Collins' book of the same name, telling the story of Haymitch Abernathy's experience in the 50th Hunger Games.

Set 24 years before the original Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping had the responsibility of recasting key characters in the franchise. Haymitch, previously played by Woody Harrelson, is far from the only familiar face who pops up in the prequel, with President Snow, Plutarch Heavensbee, Effie Trinket, and more returning.

However, the 2nd Quarter Quell ups the ante to have the biggest pool of tributes. Instead of the usual two tributes per district, there are four, giving the 50th Hunger Games nearly 50 participants. Add in the District 12 characters connected to Haymitch's life, and Sunrise on the Reaping had the ability to add plenty of high-profile new cast members to the Hunger Games franchise.

To make it all even more exciting, a trio of original franchise stars also come back. Here is the cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping:

Actor	Character
Joseph Zada	Haymitch Abernathy (16 years old)
Whitney Peak	Lenore Dove
Mckenna Grace	Maysilee Donner
Ralph Fiennes	President Snow
Jesse Plemons	Plutarch Heavensbee
Kelvin Harrison Jr.	Beetee Latier
Maya Hawke	Wiress
Lili Taylor	Mags Flanagan
Elle Fanning	Effie Trinket
Kieran Culkin	Caesar Flickerman
Ben Wang	Wyatt Callow
Glenn Close	Drusilla Sickle
Woody Harrelson	Haymitch Abernathy
Jennifer Lawrence	Katniss Everdeen
Josh Hutcherson	Peeta Mellark
Molly McCann	Louella McCoy
Iona Bell	Lou Lou
Billy Porter	Magno Stift
Jhaleil Swaby	Panache
Laura Marcus	Silka
Percy Daggs IV	Ampert
Rada Rae	Wellie
Sky Frances	Maritte
Tatyana Muzondo	Ringina
Alina Reid	Kerna
Salimou Thiam	Clayton
John Doeble	Buck
Kaine Buffonge	Hull
Kara Tointin	Willamae
Smylie Bradwell	Sid
Jeffrey Hallman	Clerk Carmine
Serafin Mishiev	Woodbine Chance
Scott Greenan	Burdock Everdeen
Grace Ackary	Asterid March
Melody Chikakane Brown	Hattie Meeney
Jefferson White	Mr. McCoy
Iris Apatow	Proserpina
Edvin Ryding	Vitus
Jax Guerrero	Tibby
Sandra Förster	Hersilia

Joseph Zada As Haymitch Abernathy

Born: July 21, 2005

• Active Since: 2019

Actor: Joseph Zada was born in Sydney, Australia in 2005 and first appeared in the 2019 movie Bilched, which was directed by his father and also featured his brother. Afterwards, Zada appeared in several episodes of the Australian political drama Total Control, and also starred in the series Invisible Boys. Zada has since appeared in Prime Video's We Were Liars and the Netflix series East of Eden. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be his first major movie role.

Notable Movies & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Bilched (2019)	Toby
Total Control (2024)	Daniel
We Were Liars (2025)	Johnny Sinclair Dennis
East of Eden (2026)	Caleb "Cal" Trask

Character: Zada takes over Harrelson's role as Haymitch Abernathy, the main character in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Haymitch is 16 years old when he gets reaped to participate in the 50th Hunger Games. Sunrise on the Reaping reveals how Haymitch won the Hunger Games and the personal stakes he has in a rebellion against the Capitol.

Whitney Peak As Lenore Dove

Born: January 28, 2003

• Active Since: 2017

Actor: Whitney Peak was born in Kampala, Uganda in 2003, but her family relocated to Canada in 2012. Peak had minor roles in movies like 2017's Molly's Game and 2022's Hocus Pocus 2, and has also starred in several popular shows. She played Judith Blackwood in several episodes of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Zoya Lott, one of the main characters in Gossip Girl, which was based on the CW show of the same name and streamed on HBO Max. She also had a key role in Netflix's survival thriller Thrash.

Notable Movies & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2019-2020)	Becca
Gossip Girl (2021-2023)	Judtih Blackwood
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)	Zoya Lott
Thrash (2026)	Dakota

Character: Peak plays Lenore Dove, Haymitch's girlfriend in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. While she doesn't get reaped for the Hunger Games, Haymitch gets chosen after involving himself in a scurry between Lenore Dove and a Peacemaker. Despite this, Haymitch does not hold anything against Lenore Dove and constantly thinks about her while he participates in the 50th Hunger Games.

Mckenna Grace As Maysilee Donner

Born: June 25, 2006

• Active Since: 2012

Actor: Mckenna Grace was born in Grapevine, Texas in 2006 and found success as a child actor after starring in the Disney XD sitcom Crash & Bernstein. Over the years, she has continued to star in high-profile projects such as Gifted and Captain Marvel. She was even nominated for an Emmy for a guest appearance on The Handmaid's Tale. Her franchise roles include Ghostbusters, Five Nights at Freddy's, Scream, and PAW Patrol.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Gifted (2017)	Mary Adler
Captain Marvel (2019)	Carol Danvers (age 13)
Annabelle Comes Home (2019)	Judy Warren
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) & Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)	Phoebe Spengler

Character: In Sunrise on the Reaping, Grace plays Maysilee Donner, one of the two girls chosen to represent District 12 in the 50th Hunger Games. In District 12, Maysilee never really got along with Lenore Dove, but she and Haymitch surprisingly form a trusting friendship while preparing for the Hunger Games.

• Grace also plays a second Sunrise on the Reaping character in Maysilee's twin sister, Merrilee Undersee, who remains in District 12 as her sister fights in the arena

Ralph Fiennes As President Snow

Born: December 22, 1962

• Active Since: 1985

Actor: Ralph Fiennes was born in Ipswich, England in 1962 and has been viewed as one of the most critically acclaimed actors in the world for several decades. Throughout his career, he has been nominated for three Academy Awards for starring in 1993's Schindler's List, 1996's The English Patient, and 2024's Conclave. Additionally, he also gained worldwide recognition for playing Lord Voldemort, the main villain in the Harry Potter films. Therefore, Sunrise on the Reaping won't be Fiennes' first time playing a villain in a major franchise.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Schindler's List (1993)	Amon Goeth
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)	Lord Voldemort
Skyfall (2012)	Gareth Mallory
Conclave (2024)	Cardinal Lawrence

Character: Fiennes plays a 58-year-old President Snow, who rules over Panem in Sunrise on the Reaping. While President Snow isn't as prominently featured in Sunrise on the Reaping as he was in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Haymitch and other characters still have several interactions with him in the movie. Fiennes follows in Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth's footsteps in playing Snow.

Jesse Plemons As Plutarch Heavensbee

Born: April 2, 1988

• Active Since: 1991

Actor: Jesse Plemons was born in Dallas, Texas in 1988 and quickly started working as a child actor. Eventually, he experienced his first breakthrough after landing the role of Landry Clark in Friday Night Lights. Plemons has also appeared in shows like Breaking Bad, Fargo, and Black Mirror. Additionally, Plemons has starred in a wide variety of acclaimed movies, such as The Master, The Irishman, The Power of the Dog, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)	Landry Clark
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)	Todd Alquist
The Power of the Dog (2021)	George Burbank
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)	Tom White

Character: Plemons portrays Plutarch, previously played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Years before he ends up being one of the leading members of the rebellion against the Capitol, Plutarch is a cameraman assigned to film the District 12 tributes. Haymitch doesn't trust Plutarch since he is from the Capitol, but there are hints that he doesn't agree with the Hunger Games.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. As Beetee Latier

Born: July 23, 1994

• Active Since: 2013

Actor: Kelvin Harrison Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1994 and landed several smaller roles in movies like Ender's Game and 12 Years a Slave at the start of his career. Since then, Harrison Jr. has earned immense acclaim for starring in movies such as Luce, Waves, and The Trial of the Chicago Seven. Additionally, he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in the show Genius and also voiced Scar in Mufasa: The Lion King.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Genius (2017-Present)	Martin Luther King Jr.
Luce (2019)	Luce Edgar
Waves (2019)	Tyler Williams
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)	Scar

Character: Harrison Jr. plays Beetee (previously played by Jeffrey Wright), who becomes a mentor for the tributes in Sunrise on the Reaping years after winning the 34th Hunger Games. Beetee is a genius when it comes to technology and teaches Haymitch some valuable lessons in Sunrise on the Reaping. Beetee also has a personal connection to the 50th Hunger Games, as his son, Ampert, is one of District 3's tributes.

Maya Hawke As Wiress

Born: July 8, 1998

• Active Since: 2016

Actor: Maya Hawke was born in New York City in 1998 and is the daughter of Hollywood actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. She has appeared in movies such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Mainstream, Fear Street Part One: 1994, Asteroid City, and voiced the character Anxiety in 2024's Inside Out 2. She was also a main character in Stranger Things since the hit Netflix show's third season.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Stranger Things (2016-2025)	Robin Buckley
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)	"Flowerchild"
Asteroid City (2023)	June Douglas
Inside Out 2 (2024)	Anxiety

Character: Hawke plays Wiress (previously played by Amanda Plummer), who managed to win the 49th Hunger Games without actually killing anyone. Just like Beetee, Wiress is known for her impressive intellect and serves as a mentor to the District 12 tributes in Sunrise on the Reaping.

Lili Taylor As Mags Flanagan

Born: February 20, 1967

• Active Since: 1986

Actor: Lili Taylor was born in Glencoe, Illinois in 1967 and, in addition to finding mainstream success, established herself as one of the key actresses for independent cinema in the 1990s. Her notable indie films include Bright Angel, Dogfight, and I Shot Andy Warhol. Additionally, Taylor has also starred in several mainstream films, such as High Fidelity, The Conjuring, and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, which is a young adult film set in a dystopia, just like Sunrise on the Reaping.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
High Fidelity (2000)	Sarah Kendrew
The Conjuring (2013)	Carolyn Perron
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)	Dr. Mary Cooper
Outer Range (2022-2024)	Cecelia Abbott

Character: In Sunrise on the Reaping, Taylor plays Mags (previously played by Lynn Cohen), the winner of the 11th Hunger Games, which took place just a year after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Along with Wiress, Mags mentors Haymitch and the other District 12 tributes in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Elle Fanning As Effie Trinket

Born: April 9, 1998

• Active Since: 2001

Actor: Elle Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia in 1998 and started her acting career at a very young age. Her first movie role was playing a younger version of her sister Dakota Fanning's character in I Am Sam. From there, Fanning appeared in many films as a child actress, such as Daddy Day Care, Babel, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. More recently, she has starred in acclaimed films like 20th Century Women, The Beguiled, and A Complete Unknown and blockbusters like Predator: Badlands.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Phoebe in Wonderland (2008)	Phoebe
Super 8 (2011)	Alice
The Beguiled (2017)	Alicia
A Complete Unknown (2024)	Sylvie Russo

Character: In Sunrise on the Reaping, Fanning plays Effie Trinket, one of the most popular characters from The Hunger Games movies thanks to Elizabeth Banks' previous portrayals. Effie does not have a major role in Sunrise on the Reaping, but she helps dress District 12's tributes before they present themselves in front of the people of the Capitol.

Kieran Culkin As Caesar Flickerman

Born: September 30, 1982

• Active Since: 1988

Actor: Kieran Culkin was born in New York City in 1982 and made his feature film debut in 1990 in Home Alone alongside his brother, Macaulay Culkin. In recent years, Culkin has experienced incredible success. He received immense acclaim and a Lead Actor Emmy win for starring in the HBO drama series Succession. Additionally, he also recently won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for his work in A Real Pain.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Home Alone (1990)	Fuller McCallister
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)	Wallace Wells
Succession (2018-2023)	Roman Roy
A Real Pain (2024)	"Benji" Kaplan

Character: In Sunrise on the Reaping, Culkin plays Caesar Flickerman (previously played by Stanley Tucci), the host of the 50th Hunger Games. Culkin's character's primary role will be to interview Haymitch and the other tributes ahead of the Hunger Games.

Ben Wang As Wyatt Callow

Born: January 1, 2000

• Active Since: 2021

Actor: Ben Wang was born in Shanghai, China in 2000 and eventually moved to the United States when he was six. In 2023, he received recognition for starring in the Disney+ movie Chang Can Dunk and the Disney+ sitcom American Born Chinese. Since then, he has continued to pave his path as a rising star in Hollywood. In 2025, he starred in Karate Kid: Legends and The Long Walk, which is an adaptation of a Stephen King novel and was helmed by Francis Lawrence, who also directed Sunrise on the Reaping.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Chang Can Dunk (2023)	Bo
American Born Chinese (2023)	Jin Wang
Karate Kid: Legends (2025)	Li Fong
The Long Walk (2025)	Henry Olson

Character: In Sunrise on the Reaping, Wang plays Wyatt, the second male tribute from District 12. Just like Maysilee, he initially butts heads with Haymitch before the two form a friendship. Wyatt comes from a family that organizes bets for every Hunger Games, which means he approaches the competition in a unique way after being reaped.

Glenn Close As Drusilla Sickle

Born: March 19, 1947

• Active Since: 1974

Actor: Glenn Close was born in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1947 and has had an incredibly successful career that has spanned over five decades. Throughout her career, she has been nominated for eight Academy Awards for her roles in films like Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Wife, and has also been nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards, Tony Awards, and Emmy Awards. Close also played the vivacious villain Cruella de Vil in both 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians, a character that may be somewhat similar to her Hunger Games role.

Notable Movie & TV Roles:

Title	Character
Fatal Attraction (1987)	Alex Forrest
Hamlet (1990)	Queen Gertrude
101 Dalmatians (1996)	Cruella de Vil
The Wife (2017)	Joan Castleman

Character: In Sunrise on the Reaping, Close plays Drusilla Sickle, an escort from the Capitol who carries out the reaping ceremony in District 12 for the 50th Hunger Games. After the reaping ceremony, Drusilla travels with Haymitch, Maysilee, Wyatt, and Louella and tries to prepare them for their time in the Capitol before the games begin.

The Hunger Games Cast Members Returning For Sunrise On The Reaping

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy: While Zada's Haymitch is who Sunrise on the Reaping primarily follows, the movie does also bring Harrelson back as the older District 12 victor/mentor. It marks Harrelson's fifth appearance as Haymitch, this time in scenes set after Mockingjay - Part 2's ending.

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen: The glimpse into Haymitch's life after the rebellion also allows Jennifer Lawrence to come back as Hunger Games' original lead. Sunrise on the Reaping allows the actress to return to her genre-defining role 11 years after her presumed final appearance as the girl on fire, the mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen.

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark: By jumping to the furthest point in the Hunger Games timeline, Josh Hutcherson also returns as Peeta Mellark. He gets to share the screen again with Harrelson and Lawrence, uniting Hunger Games' original trio, perhaps for one last time.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Supporting Cast & Characters

Molly McCann as Louella McCoy: Louella is the fourth tribute from District 12 who gets reaped for the 50th Hunger Games. Since Haymitch has known her for most of his life and she is the youngest District 12 tribute, he makes it his goal to protect her. McCann has also appeared in the John Cena-led movie Freelance and in shows like Bad Sisters and The Hardacres.

Iona Bell as Lou Lou: Lou Lou is one of the most mysterious characters in Sunrise on the Reaping, but also works with Haymitch and his allies during the 50th Hunger Games. Like Louella, Lou Lou is one of the youngest tributes participating in the games. Bell has starred in several short films.

Billy Porter as Magno Stift: Magno is legally married to Drusilla Sickle and is the stylist for the District 12 tributes leading up to the 50th Hunger Games. However, Magno constantly arrives late and is not known to be particularly good at his job. Porter is an actor and singer who has earned acclaim for starring in the musical Kinky Boots and the television show Pose.

Jhaleil Swaby as Panache: Panache is a tribute from District 1 in the 50th Hunger Games. Leading up to the games, Panache constantly bullies Haymitch and other tributes. He is related to a previous Hunger Games winner and is confident that he will win, as well. Swaby has previously starred in the 2022 movie White Dog, as well as shows like The Lake, Supergirl, and The Next Step.

Laura Marcus as Silka: Just like Panache, Silka is also a tribute from District 1 who competes in the 50th Hunger Games. Silka is viewed as a favorite to win the Hunger Games in Sunrise on the Reaping and proves just how dangerous she is in the arena. Marcus previously played Beela in Andor season 2, and has also appeared in shows like The Serpent Queen and The Jetty.

Percy Daggs IV as Ampert: Ampert is a tribute from District 3 and is the son of Beetee Latier. Tragically, Ampert is picked for the 50th Hunger Games to punish Beetee for attempting to sabotage the Capitol's communications system. In the lead-up to the games, Ampert forms an alliance, called the Newcomers, which is meant to give them a fighting chance against the Careers. Daggs has previously starred in the 2024 horror movie Never Let Go and shows like Paradise and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.

Rada Rae as Wellie: Wellie is a tribute from District 6 who competes in the 50th Hunger Games. She is a member of the Newcomers alliance, and Haymitch feels protective over her in Sunrise on the Reaping. Rae has previously starred in the 2025 Netflix movie Exterritorial and has appeared in several short films.

Sky Frances as Maritte: Maritte is a tribute from District 6 who competes in the 50th Hunger Games. She is very dangerous in the games and ends up teaming with Silka. Frances has previously appeared in single episodes of shows like Vera and A Gentleman in Moscow.

Tatyana Muzondo as Ringina: Ringina is a tribute from District 7 who ends up joining the Newcomers alliance. Before she gets invited into the alliance, Haymitch doesn't think Ringina and her fellow District 7 tributes are that impressive.

Alina Reid as Kerna: Kerna is a tribute from District 9 who participates in the 50th Hunger Games. The tokens that she and her fellow tributes wear into the games prove to be useful in Sunrise on the Reaping's story.

Salimou Thiam as Clayton: Just like Kerna, Clayton is a District 9 tribute who competes in the 50th Hunger Games. Thiam has previously appeared in one episode of television shows like A Case for Two, Chabos, and Dudes.

John Doeble as Buck: Buck is a District 10 tribute who competes in the 50th Hunger Games and is a member of the Newcomers alliance. Doeble has appeared in one episode of the show Druck.

Kaine Buffonge as Hull: Hull is a tribute from District 11 who competes in the 50th Hunger Games. In the lead up to the games, he is not afraid to stand up to Panache, one of the favorites to win. Buffonge has previously starred in the show Jungle and several short films.

Smylie Bradwell as Sid: Sid is Haymitch's brother in Sunrise on the Reaping, and is just ten years old when the 50th Hunger Games take place. Bradwell has appeared in shows such as Insomnia and The Crow Girl and had a small role in Hamnet.

Kara Tointon as Willamae: Willamae is the mother of Haymitch and his brother, Sid. In Sunrise on the Reaping, she is most prominently featured before Haymitch gets chosen to compete in the 50th Hunger Games. Tointon has appeared in several movies and shows throughout her career, but is most well-known for playing Dawn Swann in the long-running soap opera series EastEnders, as well as Maria in The Sound of Music Live.

Jeffrey Hallmine as Clerk Carmine: Clerk Carmine was a member of the Covey who adopted his niece, Lenore Dove, after her mother died while giving birth. Clerk Carmine raises Lenore in District 12, and doesn't approve of her relationship with Haymitch. Hallmine has previously appeared in movies like American Made and Cell.

Serafin Mishiev as Woodbine Chance: Woodbine is one of the two District 12 males reaped for the 50th Hunger Games. However, dramatic events during the reaping ceremony will lead to Haymitch taking his place. Mishiev has previously appeared in German movies like The Audition and Gotteskinder.

Scott Greenan as Burdock Everdeen: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping reveals that Burdock Everdeen, Katniss' father, is a childhood friend of Haymitch's. Burdock is actually the one who introduced Haymitch to Lenore Dove. Greenan has previously appeared in movies like T2: Trainspotting, Robin Hood, and Macbeth.

Grace Ackary as Asterid March: Sunrise on the Reaping also features Asterid as a teenager, many years before she gives birth to Katniss. In the prequel movie, Asterid will be best friends with Maysilee Donner, one of the girls who gets reaped to compete in the 50th Hunger Games. Ackary has previously appeared in shows like The Winter King and FBI: International.

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Melody Chikakane Brown as Hattie Meeney: Haymitch works for Hattie Meeney in District 12, where she brews white liquor and sells it to other residents and Peacekeepers, which is technically illegal. Throughout her career, Brown has starred in several stage plays and has also lent her voice to various video games.

Jefferson White as Mr. McCoy: Mr. McCoy is the father of Louella. In Sunrise on the Reaping, the McCoy family will live just a few doors down from the Abernathys. White played Jimmy Hurdstrom in Yellowstone, and has also appeared in projects like House of Cards, Chicago P.D., and Civil War.

Iris Apatow as Proserpina: Proserpina is a student at the Capitol University, where she studies fashion and styling, and is a member of the District 12 prep team for the 50th Hunger Games. Proserpina is also Effie Trinket's younger sister. Apatow is the daughter of filmmaker Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann, and has appeared in projects like The Bubble, Young Werther, and Unstable.

Edvin Ryding as Vitus: Just like Proserpina, Vitus is also a student who is a member of the prep team for the District 12 tributes. Ryding has previously played one of the lead roles in the show Young Royals and most recently appeared in 28 Years Later.

Jax Guerrero as Tibby: Tibby is an attendant from the Capitol who accompanies Haymitch and his fellow tributes on the train from District 12.

Sandra Förster as Hersilia: Hersilia is a trainer for the 50th Hunger Games who teaches a knife-throwing lesson to Haymitch and several other tributes.

• 

  Maysilee Donner

• 

  Joseph Zada

  Haymitch Abernathy

• 

  Whitney Peak

  Lenore Dove Baird

• 

  Plutarch Heavensbee