Katniss Everdeen—The Heroine
Character Breakdown: Imagine North America is a futuristic dystopia with a totalitarian Capitol and 12 impoverished districts. This is the setting of The Hunger Games. For the entertainment of the Capitol, each district selects a boy and a girl to compete in an annual televised death match. Katniss is thrust into the Games as the female competitor of District 12.
Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
Breakout Role: Winter’s Bone, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Peeta Mellark—The District 12 Challenger
Character Breakdown: The baker’s son is selected as the male counterpart from District 12. The object of the Hunger Games is to be the sole survival, so the competitive relationship between Katniss and Peeta gets complicated quickly.
Actor: Josh Hutcherson
Breakout Roles: Little Manhattan, The Kids Are All Right
Gale Hawthorne—The Best Friend
Character Breakdown: Katniss’ closest friend has taught her everything she knows about hunting and survival.
Actor: Liam Hemsworth
Breakout Role: The Last Song
Effie Trinket—The Capitol Advisor
Character Breakdown: Effie chaperones the District 12 tributes from their home to the capitol city of Panem.
Actor: Elizabeth Banks
Familiar Face From: The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Our Idiot Brother, Definitely, Maybe
Cinna—The Stylist
Character Breakdown: Cinna (pictured left) is assigned to style Katniss and Peeta for events and public appearances leading up to the Games.
Actor: Lenny Kravitz
Familiar Face From: The rocker is renowned for his music, but he also gave an impressive performance in Precious.
Haymitch Abernathy—The Mentor
Character Breakdown: As the only Hunger Games survivor from District 12, Haymitch is tasked to mentor Katniss and Peeta.
Actor: Woody Harrelson
Familiar Face From: Cheers, Zombieland, Friends With Benefits, Rampart + many more
Rue—The Ally
Character Breakdown: Rue is a District 11 tribute and the youngest in the Games. Because she is the same age as Katniss’ younger sister, the pair develops a bond.
Actress: Amandla Stenberg
Breakout Role: Colombiana
Caesar Flickerman—The Showman
Character Breakdown: The television star is the master of ceremonies for all interviews with the Hunger Games contestants.
Actor: Stanley Tucci
Familiar Face From: The Pelican Brief, Kiss of Death, Big Night, Devil Wears Prada, The Lovely Bones + many more
Coriolanus Snow—The President
Character Breakdown: President Snow is the tyrannical leader of Panem.
Actor: Donald Sutherland
Familiar Face From: MASH, Ordinary People, Cold Mountain, Pride & Prejudice + many more