Whitney Peak Thrilled for ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

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Whitney Peak Thrilled for ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Discover Whitney Peak’s reaction to her starring role as Lenore Dove Baird in ‘The Hunger…

Whitney Peak Thrilled for ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Discover Whitney Peak’s reaction to her starring role as Lenore Dove Baird in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The actress shares her initial fears, the supportive outreach from Rachel Zegler, and how this pivotal role is boosting her confidence. Find out more about the upcoming prequel and Peak’s journey into the iconic Panem universe. Whitney Peak Opens Up About ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Casting, Praises Rachel Zegler’s Support. Actress Whitney Peak is speaking out about her exciting new starring role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The upcoming film, based on Suzanne Collins’ latest novel, delves into the origins of Panem 24 years before the original Hunger Games saga, focusing on the 50th Hunger Games and a young Haymitch. Set to hit theaters in November 2026, Sunrise on the Reaping will feature Joseph Zada as the young Haymitch and Peak as his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. At the recent Chanel Tribeca Festival Women’s Luncheon in NYC, Peak shared with The Hollywood Reporter that the past six weeks since her casting announcement have been “a really warm welcome.” She emphasized the swiftness of the process, noting, “Everything happened really quickly, but it is very much led by a lot of incredible women, and I do feel very lucky to be a part of it.” With filming yet to begin, Peak is focused on staying grounded: “I think I’ve been trying to not get too overwhelmed, not think about it too much until it’s happening, until we’re in it.”   Following Rachel Zegler’s lead in the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Peak revealed that Zegler personally reached out, “Rachel reached out and gave me some love, and I know that was really huge. It was just really incredible. The support that came through was really lovely. I was terrified, to be completely honest.” Peak admitted her initial apprehension during the audition process. “I was like, ‘Oh, well, I don’t know if I even stand chance of getting this or doing this — if I’m the right person for a job.’ I just kept selling myself short and already wrote myself off before I gave myself a chance.” Securing the role has been transformative for the actress. “So getting the part and being let into this world and given the opportunity has just been very pivotal to me and my development and my self-confidence and my self-worth and my relationship with myself. It’s like, you know what, yeah, we do belong here. We can keep going. And there is space for us everywhere.” Prior to this highly anticipated role, Whitney Peak was known for her work in the Gossip Girl reboot and Hocus Pocus 2. Fans can next catch her in Sony’s upcoming shark thriller, Shiver, alongside Phoebe Dynevor.      

📅 Last Updated: March 12, 2026