Who is McKenna Grace? As she's cast as Maysilee Donner in Hunger Games sequel

Young actress McKenna Grace has officially joined the cast of The Hunger Games prequel titled Sunrise on the Reaping, taking on the role of Maysilee Donner.

The film, which is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026, continues to build on the blockbuster franchise created by author Suzanne Collins.

The latest chapter takes place during the Second Quarter Quell, the universe’s 25th anniversary Games, and centers on a young Haymitch Abernathy.

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Haymitch, whose original character is played by Woody Harrelson, is a key figure in the original trilogy. Grace will star opposite Joseph Zada, who plays a young Haymitch, and Whitney Peak, cast as his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird.

Grace is best known for roles like young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, Phoebe Spengler in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and its recent sequel Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and appearances in I, Tonya and Troop Zero.

She will also be starring in the upcoming film, Regretting You, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, releasing this October.

Grace is also attached to lead Blumhouse’s Kiss of Death, star in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and appear in Scream 7 alongside Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox.

In addition, she joins the cast of Anniversary, Lionsgate’s upcoming political thriller led by Diane Lane.

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Erin Westerman, Co-President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, praised the film’s casting choices in a statement to Deadline.

“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,” Westerman said. “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.”

Westerman added: “Haymitch has always been a fan favorite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem. We can’t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.”

Sunrise on the Reaping will be directed by Francis Lawrence, a returning name to the franchise. The film marks the sixth installment in the Hunger Games universe, following 2023’s The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.