MCKENNA GRACE

As “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” arrives in theaters this November, Mckenna Grace steps into one of entertainment’s most recognizable fictional worlds while continuing to build a career spanning film, television and music.

For Mckenna Grace, joining “The Hunger Games” franchise brings her into a world that has captivated readers and moviegoers for years. In “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” Grace plays Maysilee Donner in the story of the 50th Hunger Games, set 24 years before the events of the original film. The movie, directed by Francis Lawrence and based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel, is scheduled to open in theaters and IMAX on Nov. 20, 2026.

Taking on a character from such a well-established franchise brings a particular responsibility: audiences already know the world of Panem, and many arrive with strong connections to the books and films. Grace’s own enthusiasm for the series makes her casting especially meaningful.

The role is another milestone in a career that has taken Grace through an unusually broad range of projects. She has appeared in dramas, horror films and family entertainment, building a filmography that includes “Gifted,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Scream 7” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.” In “PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie,” she voices Skye, adding another family-friendly character to her work.

Her approach to acting has also included a personal writing practice.

It is a glimpse into a creative process she has described in her own words, offering readers a more personal connection to the performer behind the roles.

That determination is reflected in the variety of projects she continues to pursue, including work that extends beyond acting.

Music has become another part of Grace’s creative life. She has released original songs, including “Ugly and Rotten”, and collaborated with rock band Ice Nine Kills on “Twisting the Knife,” associated with “Scream 7.” Her official music page offers a closer look at her recordings and music videos, showing a side of her career that exists alongside her work on screen.

Grace is also set to play Daphne Blake in Netflix’s upcoming live-action series “Scooby-Doo: Origins,” planned for 2027. The project will bring her into another beloved fictional universe, this time as a character recognized across generations. Alongside her role in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” it underscores the range of stories she is taking on as her career continues to develop.

Beyond the screen, Grace has spoken publicly about her experience with scoliosis and spinal fusion surgery as a teenager.

Her story is a reminder that the people audiences see on screen have lives and challenges beyond their work, even as their careers unfold in the public eye.

With “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” Grace enters a new chapter in a franchise that has inspired a devoted following. Her work across film, television and music continues to offer audiences different ways to experience her creativity, while her upcoming projects point to more opportunities ahead.