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On The Set Of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II"

Joseph Zada to Play Haymitch in Upcoming Hunger Games Prequel

Sunrise on the Reaping jumps forward in time to the morning of the 50th Hunger Games

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The hugely popular Hunger Games trilogy, based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, has become one of the most successful franchises worldwide. In 2023, the story expanded with a prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which took us back decades before Katniss Everdeen’s story began.

This film followed a young President Snow, played by Tom Blyth, and Lucy Gray, portrayed by Rachel Zegler, offering a deeper look at what Panem was like before the original trilogy.

Now, the saga continues with a new chapter: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for release in November 20, 2026. This upcoming installment marks the fifth book in the series and jumps forward in time to the morning of the 50th Hunger Games—also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Joseph Zada to Play Haymitch in Upcoming Hunger Games Prequel
Actor Woody Harrelson on the set of the film, «The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I», Atlanta, USA, 2013. (Murray Close/Getty Images)

This is the moment when Haymitch Abernathy, one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, is selected as the tribute from District 12. Fans will remember Haymitch as the mentor who guided Katniss and Peeta, making this prequel especially meaningful as it dives into his own story.

Who’s Playing Haymitch?

It’s now official: the actor stepping into the role of Haymitch Abernathy, originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson in The Hunger Games films, has been confirmed. In this prequel, which explores a younger version of the character, the part will be played by Joseph Zada, a 20-year-old rising talent from Sydney, Australia.

Though relatively new to the spotlight, Joseph Zada has appeared in several projects, including Invisible Boys, Total Control, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Hocus Pocus 2. So far, he’s remained mostly under the radar, but this major role in Sunrise on the Reaping could mark a turning point in his career. Taking on a fan-favorite like Haymitch—mentor to Katniss and Peeta in the original trilogy—is no small task. And audiences are eager to see how he brings the younger version to life.

We also now know who will play Leonor Dove Baird, Haymitch’s love interest in this new chapter of the story. The role will be played by Whitney Peak. She’s anUgandan-Canadian actress known for her work in Molly’s Game (2017), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018), and Home Before Dark (2020). She also starred in the Gossip Girl reboot, gaining widespread attention for her performance.

With new characters, a fresh storyline, and a deeper dive into the past of one of the series’ most complex figures, Sunrise on the Reaping is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2026.