As The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping steps into the spotlight, its cast arrives with a mix of familiar energy and unexpected faces—performers whose past work has quietly shaped screens both big and small.
Some carry the weight of acclaimed dramas, others the spark of indie discoveries, all now converging to inhabit a Panem poised on the edge of another reckoning. Their careers may differ in scale, but each brings a trace of history that deepens the film’s return to the Capitol’s ruthless machinery.
This ensemble didn’t emerge from nowhere; it’s the result of years spent navigating varied genres, memorable supporting turns, breakout roles that arrived suddenly and the kind of steady craftsmanship that earns trust behind the scenes.
Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
Joseph Zada (Source: Valerie Terranova/Getty Images for Prime Video)
For many fans, the casting of Joseph Zada as the young, pre-Victor’s Village Haymitch Abernathy is their introduction to the actor, marking this role as a definitive career breakthrough. Before stepping into the role of the sarcastic, troubled mentor, Zada was primarily known for his work in British and Australian theatrical productions, honing his craft on stage in intense dramatic roles. Also, fot the series “We Were Liars”.
His selection for the role of Haymitch—the cynical victor of the 50th Games—suggests the producers were seeking raw, unpolished intensity rather than relying on established blockbuster fame. The pressure on Zada is immense, as he must capture the pain and initial charisma that will eventually lead Haymitch to his eventual ruin, making his performance one of the most highly scrutinized in the entire prequel series.
Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
Elle Fanning (Source: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Elle Fanning joins the Hunger Games franchise after successfully transitioning from an acclaimed child actor to one of Hollywood’s most sought-after dramatic leads. Before bringing her unique blend of ethereal elegance and comedic timing to Effie Trinket, Fanning commanded the screen in films like Super 8 (2011) and delivered her career-defining turn as Catherine the Great in the acclaimed series The Great (2020–2023).
Her extensive filmography showcases her remarkable versatility, ranging from high-stakes science fiction to period dramas and intimate indie features. Her casting here is a natural fit for Effie, leveraging her talent for high-society grace and subtle absurdity to portray the Capitol escort during the emotional turmoil of the Second Quarter Quell.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
Jesse Plemons (Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Jesse Plemons joins the franchise as the younger version of Plutarch Heavensbee, an iconic role previously played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Plemons is renowned for his mastery of subtle, intense dramatic characters who often hold the true narrative power. Audiences will recognize him from his breakthrough role as the chilling Todd Alquist in Breaking Bad (2012–2013) and his acclaimed turns in Fargo (2015) and The Power of the Dog (2021), the latter earning him an Oscar nomination.
Plemons specializes in roles defined by quiet complexity and hidden menace. His presence in the Capitol’s inner circle promises to add a fascinating, understated depth to the Games’ future Head Gamemaker, suggesting the political maneuvering beneath the surface began far earlier than viewers realized.
Maya Hawke as Wiress
Maya Hawke (Source: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Maya Hawke has rapidly established herself as a generational talent, achieving immediate, massive cultural visibility before taking on the role of the young, eccentric victor Wiress. She is instantly recognizable to millions for her role as Robin Buckley, the quick-witted, unconventional ice cream parlor employee in the Netflix hit Stranger Things (2019–Present).
Hawke’s career trajectory benefits not only from her own talent but also from her artistic family lineage (daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke). Her work in films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) demonstrated her ability to hold her own in star-studded ensembles, preparing her to capture the quiet intensity and unique brilliance of the District 3 tribute.
Ralph Fiennes as President Snow
Ralph Fiennes (Source: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI)
Ralph Fiennes brings his legendary gravitas and mastery of high-prestige villainy to the role of a younger President Coriolanus Snow. While his character arc was previously explored by Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth, Fiennes’ performance will serve as a new cultural touchstone, linking the calculating dictator to one of cinema’s most recognizable villains: Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise.
Fiennes’s work spans decades of acclaimed films, including his complex, Oscar-nominated dramatic roles in Schindler’s List (1993) and The English Patient (1996). His casting ensures the character’s chilling ambition and aristocratic menace are delivered with the highest caliber of dramatic power, reflecting the young Snow’s ascent.
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
Mckenna Grace (Source: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse)
Mckenna Grace is one of the most prolific and acclaimed young actresses working today, bringing a depth of experience far beyond her years to the role of Maysilee Donner, the District 12 tribute who befriends Haymitch. Audiences will recognize her from her emotional breakout role in Gifted (2017) and her work in major franchises like Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and the prestige TV series The Handmaid’s Tale (2018–2019).
Grace specializes in conveying maturity and emotional intelligence. Her role in Sunrise on the Reaping is critical, as she must portray the innocence and the eventual psychological toll of the arena, providing the necessary emotional anchor for Haymitch’s own tragic story.
Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle
Glenn Close (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Glenn Close joins the ensemble as Drusilla Sickle, a formidable new Capitol figure who commands immediate attention. Close is one of the most decorated American actresses in history, holding eight Academy Award nominations and numerous Emmy and Tony Awards. She is instantly recognizable for her iconic, intensely dramatic roles, such as the vengeful Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction (1987) and the terrifying Cruella De Vil in 101 Dalmatians (1996).
Her casting adds a profound layer of weight and institutional menace to the Capitol. Close’s presence ensures that Drusilla Sickle—a character likely involved in the administration of the early Games—is portrayed with an unwavering, commanding authority that only a veteran of her stature can deliver.
Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
Kieran Culkin (Source: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Kieran Culkin takes on the challenging role of the charismatic host Caesar Flickerman, whose on-screen persona belies the brutality of the Games. Culkin is best known for his recent, critically seismic triumph as the mercurial, wounded Roman Roy in the HBO series Succession (2018–2023), a performance that earned him multiple Emmys and a Golden Globe.
Culkin’s entire career, rooted in acclaimed indie film work like Igby Goes Down (2002), has showcased his talent for blending sharp wit with deep emotional chaos. His unique blend of humor and underlying neurosis is expected to bring a fascinating, uncomfortable energy to the Capitol’s greatest showman, suggesting the effort required to maintain his televised facade.
Laura Marcus as Silka Sharp
Laura Marcus (Source: Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Laura Marcus is an emerging British talent who will be known to audiences primarily through her work in acclaimed historical and dramatic television series. Before portraying Silka Sharp, a tribute from one of the technology districts, Marcus held strong roles in British dramas like The Rising (2022) and period pieces such as The Last Kingdom (2015).
Her casting follows the franchise’s trend of utilizing rising stars with proven dramatic commitment. Marcus’s background in emotionally weighty and visually compelling television ensures she has the gravitas needed to portray a tribute in the high-stakes, brutal setting of the Arena.
Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan
Lili Taylor (Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Lili Taylor brings her acclaimed indie film pedigree and immense dramatic versatility to the role of Mags Flanagan, the eventual victor from District 4 who serves as an early mentor figure. Taylor is instantly recognizable for her strong character work across several decades, including roles in Say Anything… (1989), The Conjuring (2013), and the prestige series American Crime (2015–2017).
Taylor excels at conveying quiet strength and resilience. Her presence is a powerful asset to the cast, grounding the character of Mags—a beloved, foundational figure in the Hunger Games lore—with the authentic grit and emotional depth that has been the hallmark of her career.
Iris Apatow as Proserpina
Iris Apatow (Source: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Iris Apatow joins the large ensemble cast as Proserpina, leveraging her experience in modern comedy and drama. Apatow is primarily known for her roles in films directed by her father, Judd Apatow, such as the coming-of-age comedy Blockers (2018) and The Bubble (2022).
Her involvement adds a recognizable young voice with a background in quick, contemporary humor and character work. Her ability to navigate the ensemble structure of films ensures she brings a distinct energy to the Capitol or the world surrounding the Games’ administration.
Billy Porter as Magno Stift
Billy Porter (Source: Kate Green/Getty Images)
Billy Porter is a singular force of nature, recognized globally for his groundbreaking, Emmy-winning performance as Pray Tell in the series Pose (2018–2021) and his extraordinary, history-making fashion presence on major red carpets. He brings his unmatched theatricality and charisma to the role of Magno Stift, a Capitol figure of immense style and influence.
Porter’s casting guarantees a dramatic and visually arresting performance, lending his powerhouse vocal and acting skills to a character who will undoubtedly be a memorable part of the televised Capitol spectacle. His presence confirms the film’s commitment to high theatricality and undeniable star power.
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Whitney Peak (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Whitney Peak is one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising young stars, known for her magnetic presence in high-profile streaming projects before joining Sunrise on the Reaping as Lenore Dove Baird. She is best recognized for leading the ensemble cast in the Gossip Girl reboot (2021–2023) and for her role in the Disney sequel Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).
Peak’s involvement ensures the cast has a strong, contemporary voice that appeals directly to the young adult audience who grew up with the original saga. Her ability to anchor major streaming franchises confirms the confidence in her star power and dramatic presence in the prequel.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier
Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Source: Savion Washington/Getty Images)
Kelvin Harrison Jr. is one of the most respected dramatic actors of his generation, bringing immense critical gravitas to the role of a younger Beetee Latier, the eventual victor and technological genius from District 3. He is known for his stunning, emotionally complex lead performances in critically acclaimed independent films such as Luce (2019) and Waves (2019).
His casting aligns with the franchise’s strategy of prioritizing actors capable of conveying deep, internalized drama over pure action. Harrison Jr.’s presence ensures the character’s intellectual brilliance and psychological burden are
