At just 15, British actor Iona Bell is already establishing herself on the international stage, with a run of major screen roles that position her as one of the most exciting young talents to watch. With a standout part in one of the most anticipated cinematic releases of 2026, she is stepping into a world of blockbuster storytelling while continuing to showcase the versatility and instinct that set her apart.
This November, Bell joins the star-studded cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, playing Lou Lou, one of the key characters from District 12. Starring alongside Jennifer Lawrence, McKenna Grace, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning and Kieran Culkin, Bell enters the hugely celebrated dystopian franchise at a pivotal moment in its cinematic history.
Based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel, the film explores the events surrounding the 50th Hunger Games, bringing audiences back to Panem for a story steeped in survival, sacrifice and the brutal realities of a society built on inequality. For Bell, the role marks a significant milestone in an already promising career, offering an opportunity to contribute to a beloved universe while sharing the screen with some of the industry’s most recognisable names.
Her momentum doesn’t stop there. Bell will next lead family adventure FING! as Myrtle, with her performance earning early praise following the film’s world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. She also co-leads an upcoming survival thriller Yeti alongside Chris Pine, further demonstrating her growing range across genres.
Having discovered her love of performing through theatre at a young age, Bell brings a creative curiosity to her work, with interests in fashion, art and music informing her approach to character-building. As she navigates increasingly ambitious projects, she is proving that talent and determination can make an impact at any age.
In conversation with 1883 Magazine, Iona Bell discusses stepping into the world of The Hunger Games, Taika Waititi, and more.
Do you remember the first time you discovered The Hunger Games?
At school we studied the Hunger Games books and we got to watch the movies too! We were studying dystopian fiction, we explored Suzanne Collins’ writing style and techniques and how she successfully created such a compelling dystopian world. I found the story so entertaining and my class loved it.
Were you a fan of the books or films before you were cast? If so, what did you think of it when you first watched it?
Yes!! When I first watched and read The Hunger Games, I fell in love with it instantly. I think it’s such a unique story and I really admire the way Suzanne was able to create such a distinctive world with such complex and interesting characters. I truly believe there’s nothing else quite like it and there’s a reason people are still so passionate about it after all these years.
You’re only 15, so I imagine being told you’d got a role in The Hunger Games must have been pretty surreal. How did you find out, and what did you do when you got the news?
My agent actually pranked me! They told me I had another audition with Francis, when in reality, I had already booked the role! So I joined the zoom meeting fully prepared to audition again, but found my agent waiting to tell me I got the role. I honestly couldn’t quite believe it at first, it didn’t feel real. I went through such a rollercoaster of emotions. I was so excited.
What was it like walking onto the set for the first time and seeing the world of The Hunger Games around you?
The set design on this project was incredible. When I stepped onto set it really felt like I’d been transported into another world. The level of detail was insane. The sets were exactly how I imagined them when reading the books, it was so cool!
Was there a moment where you thought, ‘I can’t believe I’m actually here’?
There were many moments like that. But I think a lot of the time, I was just so focused on the work and having fun that I didn’t really stop to think about how crazy it was that I was there filming with people like Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin and Glenn Close.
Tell us a little about Lou Lou. What do you think makes her different from the other tributes, and was there anything about her that you recognised in yourself?
Lou Lou has a unique and really sad story. I think she represents how easily young and vulnerable people can be used and mistreated by those in power. Her circumstance is heart-breaking. She’s lost the sense of who she is because of the way she’s been treated. It’s upsetting because so much of what she’s been put through is at the hands of people who are more concerned with maintaining their power than with the lives they’re affecting in the process.
You’re working with some really experienced actors on the film. What was it like being one of the younger people on set? Did anyone give you advice that you’ll remember?
It was amazing working alongside actors who have so much experience working in the industry. I learnt so much, just from watching how each person worked and seeing how they approached their characters. I think being one of the younger actors on set gave me the chance to learn a lot without putting too much pressure on myself to know everything already! I was never made to feel like the kid on set. Everyone took me seriously and made me feel like my contribution mattered just as much as anyone else’s.
There are obviously going to be a lot of fans watching the film who have grown up with The Hunger Games. Does that make you excited, nervous, or a bit of both?
It makes me super excited but also a little nervous. I want to do the character justice, so I really hope people like my interpretation of Lou Lou! I want the audience to hopefully feel as much as I did when I was exploring her. I hope that everyone is emotionally devastated at the end because that will mean we all did a great job!
You’ve also got FING! coming out, Yeti with Chris Pine and another big (to be unannounced) project on the way. With so much happening at such a young age, do you still get to have normal teenage moments when you’re not working?
I’ve been away from home quite a lot over the last two years and I’ve been working very hard, not just on set, but also keeping up with school. But when I am home I try to hang out with my friends as much as I can and just chill out and relax like a normal teenager. I love seeing my brother when I come home, he’s my favourite person to hang out with and we have lots of fun together.
Finally, what has been your favourite moment of your acting experience so far — the kind of moment you’ll still be talking about years from now?
I think one of my favourite moments so far has been filming a standoff scene in Fing! with Taika Waititi. I can’t give too much away about the scene, but it was a really fun, memorable moment between our characters and I really enjoyed filming it. Taika is absolutely hilarious and he brings such a good sense of humour to the scene.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping releases on November 20.
Photography Lee Malone
Stylist Jennifer Michalski Bray
Hair Louis Byrne
