Jack Edwards glances down at his cue cards, looks up and grins. He’s just announced McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner to a crowd of Hunger Games fans packed around the balconies at Westfield in London. Behind him is a towering Cornucopia. The 14-year-old who sent his local paper a review of the first book would have had a few questions.
The paper passed on the piece but suggested he start a blog. He took their advice. That blog eventually led to YouTube, TikTok and the Inklings Book Club, building a career around the books he couldn’t stop talking about. Now, Edwards is co-hosting the UK Fan Event for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingalongside his friend Zainab Jiwa. There are lines to rehearse, cast introductions to divide up and as many references to Panem as the pair can squeeze into their script. For someone whose first review started all of this, a few nerves are understandable.
For 1883, Edwards takes us through the day, from afternoon rehearsals to nervous pacing in a hotel room. His Etro look pays homage to District 12, with precious stones referencing its mines, feathers nodding to hunting and a scorched tie invoking the Girl on Fire. Then it’s time to pick up the microphone.
Out on the carpet, there’s a chat with Elle Fanning, whose pink Robert Wun gown comes with a tiny spinning ballerina, and the pleasure of introducing a cast he’s still processing meeting. The evening closes with Jiwa, roving reporter Ieuan Cooke and one final “may the odds be ever in your favour.” Edwards grew up imagining he’d be Katniss Everdeen. Judging by the grin, he’s quite happy to be Caesar Flickerman.
“I’ve been a Hunger Games fan for as long as I can remember, and it was actually the genesis of my social media career! When I was 14, I sent a review of the first Hunger Games book to my local newspaper in the hope that they would publish it. They didn’t. But, what they did say in their very generous response was that if I was interested in this kind of thing, I should consider starting a blog — and that’s what I did.
That blog led to my YouTube channel which led to my TikTok which led to my book club which led to presenting which led to THIS! It was a very full circle moment for me to host this premiere all these years later. Although, I envisioned myself more as Katniss Everdeen than Caesar Flickerman. Either way, I’ll take it!”
“The red (or green…?) carpet was designed to look like the Sunrise on the Reaping arena for the second Quarter Quell. There were flowers everywhere and grassy walkways, as well as a huge Cornucopia in the centre. Hunger Games fans lined up around the atrium at Westfield to get a view of the stars as they arrived — it genuinely felt like being inside the Games, with the Capitol watching!!”
“The pre-show huddle never misses. “But first, we arrived at the carpet around 2pm to start rehearsing. Zainab Jiwa was my brilliant co-host, who I’ve dreamed of working with for the longest time and deeply admire. Getting to do this with one of my friends was so incredibly special, and Zainab is a total pro.
We went over our lines and divvied them up. It’s good to practice saying everything out loud because sometimes a sentence that looks neat on paper can be a bit clunky to say into a microphone. There’s a lot to remember on the night, so this stage is all about making things as straightforward as possible. For example, we decided that I’d introduce all of the female guests, and Zainab would introduce all of the male guests — that way, we never have to wonder “am I the one who’s supposed to be speaking?
We also added in a bunch of Hunger Games jokes and references to the script, as true Hunger Games fans would!!! We couldn’t resist adding in a few “may the odds be ever in your favour” nods — stay tuned for that!!”
“After rehearsals wrapped (quite daunting in front of such a huge crowd), we snuck off to our dressing rooms to start getting ready. I was lucky enough to wear this incredible Etro ensemble from the Fall 26 collection, accessorised with ATR jewellery, and put together by my miracle-worker stylist Sam Carder. Our inspiration was the moment when the Hunger Games tributes first arrive in the Capitol and participate in a parade to win over supporters. They ride chariots and wear chic outfits that represent the districts they descend from. So, this look was my homage to District 12.
The precious stones in my rings and necklace were a nod to the mining district, while the feathers on my suit and animal print on my overcoat alluded to the practice of hunting. Meanwhile, my seared tie looked burned at the end, as an invocation of Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire. Fire is catching!!!! If we burn, you burn with us!!!!!!!”
“And here’s the look! Lots of deep breaths and nervous pacing occurred in this hotel room, but I think nerves are good… it just shows that this means a lot to you! “
“Welcome to our Cornucopia, our home for the evening. In central London, this is prime real estate!!! A landlord would charge you £2k a month for all that square footage. Truly, the scale of this event was just unbelievable. My arm is still sore from how many times I had to pinch myself !!!”
“Lights, camera, ACTION!!! You grow up thinking you’re going to be Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, and then you realise….. oh, we’re Caesar Flickerman and Effie Trinket. And, you know what? That’s fine by me. I was channelling my inner Caesar — played excellently in this new movie by Kieran Culkin.”
“A dream come true moment: getting to interview Elle Fanning! She was definitely one of the best dressed of the night in a custom design by Robert Wun. And yes… the ballerina on her head was ACTUALLY SPINNING. She did Effie Trinket proud, and that’s why she was the ultimate fan-casting for the role. And let me say, too, she is ELECTRIC in the film.”
“A closer look at the ballerina headpiece, because it deserves its own slide.”
One last moment together before the lights go down.
“I can’t believe I get to hoot and holler into a microphone for a living. One of my favourite parts of the night was getting to announce each cast member as they arrived on the red carpet, and hearing the crowd just go absolutely ballistic. A valid reaction to finding out you’re sharing the same space as Ms McKenna Grace!”
“And here she is! The kindest, bubbliest, most effusive person. I’m so happy McKenna Grace was cast as Maysilee Donner in Sunrise on the Reaping, knowing she’s such a die-hard fan of the franchise. She is living all of our dreams, growing up with these books and films, and then getting to ACTUALLY ENTER THE ARENA. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.”
“Just another moment to be in awe of the Cornucopia. Wow. That smile truly never left my face.”
“Next, we headed into the cinema to watch the film and surprise all the fans in the room with the cast! Here I’m introducing some total legends to the stage: Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemmons, Glenn Close, and Whitney Peak. I love that this franchise combines a mix of cinema icons and emerging talent. You can tell how much they all admire each other and loved being on set together. Joseph Zada, McKenna Grace, and Whitney Peak are ones to watch, for sure.”
“I told you we had to say it!!! Here’s our final “may the odds be ever in your favour” to sign off the livestream, alongside Zainab Jiwa and our roving reporter on the carpet Ieuan Cooke. Ieuan is the ultimate Hunger Games fan, and getting to watch the film alongside these two was extremely special.”
“And that’s a wrap!! Thanks for tuning in for my Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping diary. I still haven’t processed that any of this was real, quite frankly, but I’m so beyond grateful to have had this opportunity. As soon as the job came up I said I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!!!!
Thanks 1883 for letting me take you behind the scenes — Sunrise on the Reaping is in cinemas from November 20th.”
Jack Edwards is the internet’s resident librarian and Inklings Book Club, follow @___inklings___
Full look ETRO
Jewellery ATR Jewellery
Shoes Church’s
Styling Sam Victor
Tailoring Kim Lareau
