EastEnders Legend Kara Tointon Makes Surprise Appearance in Hunger Games Prequel Trailer
British television fans were treated to a familiar face this week with the release of the first full-length trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Among the A-list cast featuring Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, and Ralph Fiennes, eagle-eyed viewers spotted EastEnders icon Kara Tointon in a brief but significant role.
From Walford to Panem: Tointon's Key Role
The 42-year-old actress plays Willamae Abernathy, mother to lead character Haymitch Abernathy, portrayed by Joseph Zara. This character was originally played by Woody Harrelson in the earlier Hunger Games films. The prequel, adapted from Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel, revisits Panem 24 years before the original Hunger Games events, beginning on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games reaping.
The trailer includes a poignant scene showing a shocked Kara tightly hugging her younger son Sid Abernathy as chaos erupts across Panem. Her character's older son is selected as tribute in the deadly games, setting the stage for the film's central conflict.
Fan Reactions and Career Highlights
EastEnders enthusiasts expressed delight at seeing their favorite actress in the major Hollywood production. One fan posted on social media: 'Shaking at seeing Dawn Swann in the new Hunger Games trailer... Hollywood Queen!' Another exclaimed: 'KARA TOINTON IN THE HUNGER GAMES? Dawn Swann, you've come so far!'
Kara first rose to prominence in 2005 when she joined the cast of EastEnders as Dawn Swann, step-sister to Mickey Miller played by Joe Swash. Her character departed Walford in 2009 after finding her happy ending with Garry Hobbs. The actress later achieved national fame by winning the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 with her then-partner, professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.
Following her soap opera success, Kara appeared in major television dramas including Mr Selfridge and The Teacher. The Hunger Games prequel marks her first film role since 2022, representing a significant career milestone for the versatile performer.
Personal Journey and Health Advocacy
In 2025, Kara revealed she had undergone a double mastectomy the previous year after discovering she carries the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases cancer risk. This decision came after losing her mother Carol to ovarian cancer in 2018. The actress serves as an ambassador for the Eve Appeal, a charity raising awareness about gynaecological cancers.
After genetic testing confirmed she carried the gene, Kara explained: 'There is a history of both cancers in my family but for various reasons including generational trauma, we hadn't looked into it until that point. But it was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene.'
As a mother of two young sons, family considerations guided her decision-making process. She underwent two preventative surgeries: a double mastectomy and removal of her fallopian tubes as part of a protective study trial. Kara stated: 'I wasn't an easy decision, but one I am very glad that I made and I can now with hindsight talk about it properly.'
Balancing Career and Family Life
Kara raises her two sons, Frey and Helly, with Norwegian partner Marius, a chiropractor. The family divides their time between Britain and Norway, where Kara's sister Hannah and father still reside. In a 2024 interview, the actress reflected on embracing her age and prioritizing her children's upbringing away from the spotlight that has followed her for decades.
She shared: 'I'm really enjoying getting older. I know we're in a world where people grapple with that but I feel like I'm learning to like myself more and hopefully becoming a more well-rounded person. A lot of the stuff people struggle with is down to circumstances – everyone has bad stuff happen to them and that can happen at any age.'
The actress added that experience helps people 'know how to deal with things and hopefully grow and build and get stronger from it,' demonstrating the resilience that has characterized both her personal journey and professional evolution from British soap star to Hollywood actress.
