When it comes to stacked cast lists, it’s hard to conjure up a more impressive lineup than the one currently making up the Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise On The Reaping – and for good reason.
The credits reads like a who’s who of Hollywood, with Glenn Close and Billy Porter adding their names to the lauded list most recently. They join the previously-announced actors Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Ralph Fiennes, Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons and Maya Hawke – with Australia’s-own Joseph Zada rounding out the list as the young Haymitch Abernathy.
With so many fitting tributes to the beloved franchise to keep track of, we’ve compiled a handy guide to who’s playing who on the Sunrise On The Reaping cast and character list.
Below, get to know every actor who’s been cast in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel and where you’ve seen them before.
Every Character On The Sunrise On The Reaping Cast
Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
Before there was Katniss Everdeen, there was Haymitch Abernathy.
For 23 years, Haymitch was District 12’s second and only living Hunger Games victor after winning the second Quarter Quell.
While little has been revealed about Haymitch’s lore, the latest Hunger Games instalment, Sunrise On The Reaping will focuses on 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy’s experience during the 50th Hunger Games.
Playing teenage Haymitch is Australian actor, Joseph Zada who you might recognise from the Stan series Invisible Boys (2025). In the lead up to the film’s release, keep an eye on the rising star who’s set to take on the role of Johnny in the hotly-anticipated adaptation of We Were Liars.
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
If you cast your mind back to the first Hunger Games film, you can probably still recall the shrill announcement of Effie Trinket as she declared “Primrose Everdeen” District 12’s tribute.
A resident of the Capitol, Effie is the official escort for District 12’s tributes, and while her character plays a pivotal role in the franchise, fans will now have the opportunity to explore her origin story through Elle Fanning.
The actress was tapped to play the co-lead in May this year and joins the cast with a wealth of blockbuster experience already under her belt. Most recently, the actress courted Oscars buzz for her role in A Complete Unknown alongside Timothée Chalamet, but she’s also gained widespread critical acclaim for her uncharacteristically dark role in The Girl from Plainville, while also picking up an Emmy nomination for The Great.
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
One of the most anticipated plotlines of Sunrise On The Reaping is that of Haymitch Abernathy’s formative years – most importantly – the connection that fueled his existence, and subsequent path of destruction. The character of Lenore Dove Baird was born in the year of the 33rd Hunger Games and met Haymitch when the pair were ten years old. A pivotal moment between the two young lovers occurs during the 50th Hunger Games, when an act of retribution changes the course of Haymitch’s life forever. But it’s Lenore’s final request – to not let the sun rise on the reaping – that stay with Haymitch forever.
The newly explored character will be played by Whitney Peak, who’s standout performance in the Gossip Girl reboot positioned her as one to watch. Fans will also recognise her from her roles in Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, Molly’s Game, as well as her recurring role in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle
Drusilla Sickle is an escort from the Capitol and at the time of Sunrise On The Reaping is married to fellow cast member, Magno Stift (played by Billy Porter).
Bringing Drusilla to life will be none other than award-winning actress Glenn Close, whose portfolio reads like a hall of fame list for the silver screen. With a career spanning over five decades, she counts roles in Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons and of course – 101 Dalmations – as some of her most notable, but we’re also looking forward to seeing her in the third Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man.
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Although the official synopsis for Sunrise On The Reaping describes District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner as “the most stuck-up girl in town,” the allyship she shows to Haymitch during the games has huge implications for his future.
The character is brought to life by McKenna Grace, who hearts around the world for her portrayal as sassy genius, Mary, in Gifted alongside Chris Evans. Viewers will also recognise the actor from her roles in The Handmaid’s Tale and Ghostbusters franchise.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Fans of the original Hunger Games franchise will recognise Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee as the character portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman.
A key figure in the rebellion of District 13, Plutarch Heavensbee played a crucial role in leading the constitutional republic. In Sunrise On The Reaping, the young Plutarch will be played by actor Jesse Plemons.
Fans who’ve followed his career from his breakout role in Friday Night Lights to now, will recognise the acclaimed actor for his roles in Breaking Bad, Civil War, Kinds of Kindness and most recently – Zero Day. Outside of his brilliant portfolio, Plemons is also married to Kirsten Dunst, and the couple, who met on the set of Fargo, share two children.
Billy Porter as Magno Stift
In the words of Haymitch Abernathy “Magno Stift’s the guy who’s been assigned to the District 12 tributes for as long as I can remember. And yes, he’s every bit as bad as they say.” Playing the stylist (and estranged husband of Drusilla Sickle) from District 12 in the upcoming Sunrise On The Reaping cast list, is the enigmatic Billy Porter.
The American actor and singer is best known for his leading role in series Pose, as well as his myriad theatrical roles in Broadway productions such as Grease and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. The Emmy, Grammy and Tony award winner also played Fab G in the 2021 version of Cinderella starring Camilla Cabello.
Maya Hawke as Wiress
Wiress of District 3 was the victor of the 49th Hunger Games and known for her impressive intellect and eccentric nature. The character will be played by Maya Hawke in the upcoming prequel.
Hawke is most widely known for her long-running role in Stranger Things, but the 26-year-old actress made her film debut as Jo March in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women. Since, she’s also had leading roles in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, Do Revenge, Inside Out 2 and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier
Beetee Latier, a District 3 tribute, will be familiar to fans of the original series as the electronics and wiring wiz whose cunning expertise earned him Katniss Everdeen’s trust and respect.
The young Beetee will be played by American actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. who has garnered critical acclaim throughout his career for roles in productions such as The Trial Of The Chicago 7 and Cyrano. Most recently, he played B. B. King in Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis.
Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow
As the main antagonist of The Hunger Games trilogy and Sunrise On The Reaping, the tyrannical President Coriolanus Snow of Panem is one of the biggest in the series. As such, securing an actor as enigmatic as the late Donald Sutherland, was essential to the success of any new production moving forward.
Thankfully for the Sunrise On The Reaping cast, the role is set to be brought to life by none other than British actor, Ralph Fiennes. Known for his performances in classics such as The English Patient and Schindler’s List, Fiennes most recently secured serious acclaim for his role as the fictional priest in the hit film-turned-pop-culture-phenomenon, Conclave.
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
When news first broke of Kieran Culkin’s casting in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel as Caesar (previously played by Stanley Tucci) fans were united in their overwhelming approval.
After all, taking on the role of the mysterious host and main commentator is no easy feat. Succession star and A Real Pain best actor winner, Kieran Culkin feels right and we can’t wait to see what he brings to Panem.
Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
A skilled statistician and oddsmaker, Wyatt Callow is a tribute from District 12 with a difficult backstory that fuels his motivations.
The character will be played by actor Ben Wang, who’s best known for his role as Jin Wang in American Born Chinese and the 2023 remake of Karate Kid: Legends.
Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan
Lili Taylor will take on the role of Mags Flanagan – a victor of the 11th Hunger Games who hails from District Four.
Actress Lili Taylor is best known for her roles in Fear Street: Prom Queen, The Conjuring and American Crime.
