The Hunger Games Has Found Its New Katniss Everdeen for the Stage

The Hunger Games has found its new Katniss Everdeen… on stage, that is. The Hunger Games: On Stage, a brand new theater production of the beloved dystopian story, has announced that Mia Carragher will play the lead role previously made famous by Jennifer Lawrence.

The production revealed the news via the show’s official Instagram on July 29. “Meet our girl on fire,” reads the caption on a photo announcing Carragher in the role. In a separate post, the account shared a video where fans could see Carragher in action.

“From archery to fight workshops, our fearless Girl on Fire is ready to set @troubadourcwharf alight,” the account wrote, mentioning the London theater where the adaptation will be staged.

“I’m really excited to play Katniss. I relate to her quite a lot,” the actress said in the sneak peek. “I think she’s very fearless, but then she’s also got that nurturing quality about her. Everyone needs to come and watch ‘The Hunger Games: On Stage’ because it’s going to be nothing like you’ve ever seen.”

Carragher is the daughter of former Liverpool FC player Jamie Carragher, and is a relative newcomer to the film and television scene. She previously appeared in the 2014 British comedy One Night In Istanbul, as well as the Channel 4 series The Gathering.

Next, she’ll appear alongside Hunger Games film alum Josh Hutcherson — as well as Martin Freeman and Malin Akerman — in the upcoming British comedy Let’s Love.

“We searched far and wide, and comprehensively, for our Katniss,” director Matthew Dunster said in a statement. “It is not easy to step into Suzanne Collins’ amazing creation and only one actor combined Katniss’ charisma and combat skills — her quiet, tough determination and her brilliant creativity, athleticism and humor. We’ve found our Katniss in Mia Carragher, and we can’t wait for audiences to see her.”

This new adaptation of the Hunger Games — the first ever for the stage — kicks off performances on October 20 at the Trouboudor Canary Wharf Theatre in London. Well-known Irish playwright Connor McPherson adapted writer Suzanne Collins’ first book for the stage play, which is being directed by Dunster, who also directed London favorite 2:22: A Ghost Story.

Image credit: thehungergamesonstage / Seamus Ryan

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.