Who Plays Mags in ‘The Hunger Games’ Franchise, Explained

The Hunger Games’ next prequel movie titled Sunrise on the Reaping has been bombing the franchise’s fans with good news lately, confirming more and more actors for the leading roles.

With Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Maya Hawke announced as Beetee and Wiress respectively recently, the upcoming movie also cast The Conjuring’s star Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan, another mentor for District 12 tributes during the 50th Hunger Games.

The character, who is already well known to The Hunger Games’ fans after Catching Fire, will also have a pivotal role in how events will unfold before Haymitch is announced as the 50th Hunger Games’ victor.

Here’s everything you need to know about Mags, including her role in the third Quarter Quell and who portrayed the actress in the original movie series.

Mags Flanagan’s Backstory in ‘The Hunger Games’, Explained

Portrayed by Lynn Cohen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mags is introduced as one of the female tributes from District 4 during the 75th Hunger Games aka third Quarter Quell, as well as the mentor of Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games and Finnick Odair during the 65th Hunger Games.

Decades before that, Mags was reaped at the age of 16 for the 11th Hunger Games, one year after Lucy Gray Baird’s victory. It's believed that Mags’ skills with fish hooks and surviving in nature were the ones to help her win the games.

At the time when Haymitch Abernathy is illegally reaped for the 50th Hunger Games, Mags is already a middle-aged woman coming on board as one of the mentors for Haymitch and his fellow District 12 tributes.

While out there in the arena, both Haymitch and Maysilee Donner received meaningful gifts from sponsors that Mags convinced to support them.

What Happened to Mags in ‘Catching Fire’?

For those who need a reminder ahead of Mags’ return to the franchise in Sunrise on the Reaping, the character didn’t get to live much longer after she volunteered for the 75th Hunger Games instead of Annie Cresta.

Being an 80-year-old woman at the time, Mags wasn’t able to walk very fast, which is why her fellow tribute Finnick Odair had to carry her around all the time.

Despite still being able to handle fish hooks at the advanced age, the useful skill doesn’t help Mags to survive in the third Quarter Quell where she dies by walking straight into the acid fog, giving a chance for Finnick, Peeta and Katniss to run away without having to carry her as well.

Mags’ death had a major impact on Finnick who couldn’t talk about his mentor and friend’s passing for long afterwards.

When Is ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Being Released?

The movie is set to arrive in theatres around the world on November 20, 2026.