The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping cast and character guide? Who plays whom in the upcoming much-anticipated movie?

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is the next most-awaited film of The Hunger Games series. Fans have been waiting to find out who will play the new and old characters. Official announcements reveal that Joseph Zada will portray Haymitch Abernathy, the District 12 tribute who is a main character in this installment.

Whitney Peak will play Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch's love interest and a significant new character in the Hunger Games series. These casting announcements have caused a lot of buzz, as both actors are known for their emerging talent and past significant roles.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the original Hunger Games series, and it is about the events of the 50th Hunger Games, or the Second Quarter Quell. Francis Lawrence once again directs, with a script by Billy Ray, and the producing team is Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson.

Although only the two leads have been officially confirmed, the plot of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has a very diverse assortment of characters, indicating more announcements will be made as the release date gets closer.

Main cast and confirmed roles in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

1) Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy

Joseph Zada will be playing Haymitch Abernathy, the central character of Sunrise on the Reaping. Haymitch is a 16-year-old District 12 tribute, who in the original trilogy is recognized as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark's mentor. In the prequel, fans will get to witness Haymitch's arena experience and how events lead him towards his future.

2) Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird

Whitney Peak portrays Lenore Dove Baird, who is depicted as Haymitch’s romantic partner in the story. Lenore is a Covey member, a special group in Panem, and plays a new role in the District 12 story. Peak appears here for the first time in The Hunger Games series, although she is already an established actress with credits in the Gossip Girl reboot and other productions.

Notable characters featured in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping include several familiar and new faces

While only Zada and Peak's characters have been officially announced, the book Sunrise on the Reaping features several other significant characters. These characters are most likely to be cast soon, as they play major parts in the narrative:

Louella McCoy, the first female District 12 tribute.
Maysilee Donner, the second female District 12 tribute who is also referred to as the original owner of the Mockingjay pin.
Wyatt Callow, the first District 12 male tribute.
Wiress, a past victor of the 49th Hunger Games, returns as a mentor to guide the District 12 tributes.
Mags Flanagan, the winner of the 11th Hunger Games, and a mentor.
Drusilla Sickle, the Capitol escort for District 12 tributes.
Plutarch Heavensbee, who serves as a Capitol cameraman assigned to cover the tributes from District 12.
Effie Trinket, the newly assigned escort and stylist for District 12 tributes.
Sid Abernathy, Haymitch's younger brother.
Coriolanus Snow, President of Panem.

Casting announcements for these characters have not been made, but they are likely to be announced as production continues.

Production team and release information

Francis Lawrence, director of earlier Hunger Games movies, returns to helm Sunrise on the Reaping. Billy Ray writes the screenplay, which is adapted from Suzanne Collins' book. Producers Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson, who have produced all earlier Hunger Games movies, join the team as well, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on November 20, 2026. The movie will be released against the backdrop of the Second Quarter Quell, a very important event in the Hunger Games saga, and it will be 24 years before Katniss Everdeen is first seen.