This year, beloved author Suzanne Collins gifted us another gut-wrenching and brilliant book set in The Hunger Games world, and it’s honestly all I’ve thought about for weeks. 
Lionsgate / Everett Collection
Sunrise on the Reaping is the second prequel novel in Collins’ series and is set 24 years before the first book’s events. It tells the story of the 50th Hunger Games, aka the Second Quarter Quell, and notably the Games that Haymitch Abernathy competed in and won. 
Scholastic
For years, fans have begged for a book detailing Haymitch’s games, and Collins delivered in every possible way. It’s honestly one of the saddest stories in this entire book series. 
x.com / Via x.com Haymitch’s games were mentioned and discussed in Catching Fire, sparking so many fans to wonder what really happened in that arena. It even inspired a beloved fan-made film that has over 14 million views on YouTube since it was uploaded 13 years ago.
And just like her previous four books — The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes — Sunrise on the Reaping is already scheduled to be adapted into a film by Lionsgate, with a release date set for November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence will direct the movie and Billy Ray will write the script. 
Lionsgate / Everett Collection Lawrence has previously directed Catching Fire, Mockingjay – Part 1, Mockingjay – Part 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Meanwhile, Ray previously wrote The Hunger Games.
So, when the book was released a little over a month ago, people already started fancasting who they would want to play all of the characters in the book, especially young Haymitch. 
Lionsgate / Everett Collection
And well, Lionsgate officially unveiled that Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak will play Haymitch Abernathy and Lenore Dove Baird, his girlfriend and a member of the Covey, in the upcoming adaptation.
Hugh Stewart / Lionsgate, Kate Whyte / Lionsgate In a press release from Lionsgate, per Deadline, Lionsgate co-president Erin Westerman said of the duo’s casting, “The Hunger Games franchise has long been a launching pad for remarkable young actors, and Jo and Whitney carry that legacy forward with incredible heart, depth, and fire. After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, these two stood out — not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles.”
So, because Joseph and Whitney are joining a long list of beloved leading actors in The Hunger Games franchise, here’s everything you need to know about them:
Joseph is from Sydney, Australia, and is reportedly 20 years old. You can follow him on Instagram here. 
Hugh Stewart / Lionsgate
He is a relatively unknown and up-and-coming actor, which is something fans desperately wanted when it came to casting a young Haymitch, who Woody Harrelson plays in the first four movies. 
Lionsgate / Everett Collection
Joseph recently starred in the Australian limited series Invisible Boys, which is based on the novel by Holden Sheppard. Alongside this series, he’s also appeared in the Australian TV show Total Control in 2024.
View this photo on Instagram
Joseph Zada / Instagram / Via instagram.com
In terms of upcoming projects, he’s set to star in the upcoming TV series We Were Liars, an adaptation of the bestselling novel by E. Lockhart. He’s starring as Johnny in the show, which is being adapted by The Vampire Diaries creator Julie Plec and writer Carina Adly Mackenzie. 
Jessie Redmond / Prime Video
He can also be seen in the upcoming Netflix limited series East of Eden, which is an adaptation of the beloved book by John Steinbeck. Joseph will star as Cal Trask, alongside Florence Pugh, Mike Faist, Christopher Abbott, Hoon Lee, Tracy Letts, Martha Plimpton, and more.
Dave Benett / WireImage / Getty Images, Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images
As for Whitney, she was born in Uganda and grew up in a city outside of Vancouver. She’s 22 years old. You can follow her on Instagram here.
Whitney Peak / Instagram / Via Instagram: @whitneypeak
She started her career with a small role in Molly’s Game before landing a 10-episode arc in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as Judith Blackwood. 
Netflix
Her breakout moment came in 2021 when she was cast as Zoya Lott in the short-lived Gossip Girl reboot on Max. Then, she starred in Hocus Pocus 2 as Becca. She also appeared in Sabrina Carpenter’s music video for “Nonsense” in 2022. 
Max / Island / Via youtube.com
She was also named a brand ambassador for Chanel in 2021, and in 2023, she was appointed the face of Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, making her the first Black woman to do so. 
Claudio Lavenia / Getty Images
Alongside The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Whitney can next be seen in Shiver, an upcoming thriller movie with Phoebe Dynevor and Djimon Hounsou. 
Marc Piasecki / WireImage / Getty Images She’s also be seen in Trap House, 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, and Eye for an Eye.
After her casting as Lenore Dove was announced, Whitney reposted an adorable photo of her holding a copy of Sunrise on the Reaping. 
Whitney Peak / Instagram / Via Instagram: @whitneypeak
And Rachel Zegler, who played Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, welcomed her to the Covey family with a sweet Instagram story: 
Rachel Zegler / Instagram / Via Instagram: @rachelzegler
Well, that’s all the casting news for Sunrise on the Reaping we have so far! Personally, I’m so deeply excited to see Joseph and Whitney bring these roles to life. And I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for more news soon — like, Elle Fanning, I need you to play young Effie Trinket, PLEASE.
Are you excited for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping? Who are you hoping gets cast next? Tell us everything in the comments below!
