ITV/Composite: EI Share By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 Former EastEnders star Kara Tointon lands massive Hollywood prequel The star played Dawn Swann Strictly Come Dancing Share By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 Former EastEnders actress and Strictly star Kara Tointon has landed a role in a massive Hollywood franchise, it has been reported. The 41-year-old star, who played Dawn Swann on EastEnders for four years, will appear in the upcoming Hunger Games film Sunrise on the Reaping. But who will she play? And what will the film be about? Here’s all we know about the upcoming movie and Kara’s role in it! Kara is swapping Walford for a massive Hollywood franchise (Credit: BBC) Kara Tointon to appear in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Based on the Suzanne Collins novel of the same name, Sunrise on the Reaping follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (played by Woody Harrelson in the original trilogy) as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games. Kara will play Haymitch’s mother, Willamae Abernathy. She will star alongside Joseph Zada as young Haymitch, and co-stars Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, and Kieran Culkin. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Dawn left Walford with local man Garry (Credit: BBC) When was Kara Tointon on EastEnders? Kara appeared on EastEnders from 2005 to 2009. She played glamorous barmaid Dawn; a member of the Miller family alongside brothers Mickey and Darren, and layabout father figure Keith. During her time in Walford, she fell pregnant with the child of Rob Minter – husband of local GP May Wright. May, as it emerged, was severely disturbed. Unable to conceive herself, she first attempted to buy Dawn’s unborn child from her. When that failed, she kidnapped Dawn and tied her to a bed while they awaited childbirth. After escaping Dawn and Rob’s clutches, Dawn came to terms with becoming a mother, and began raising daughter Summer. Dawn and Summer left Walford in 2009, sailing off into the sunset with local mechanic Garry Hobbs. Not exactly happily ever after though, as when Garry briefly returned to Walford a few years later (for the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations) he did so alone… and as best pal Minty’s housemate. As for Kara, a 2010 stint on Strictly beckoned. She emerged as the BBC dance competition’s eighth winner, alongside professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 28 2025
