For Mia Carragher, 2025 has been the year everything shifted — the year a girl from Liverpool stepped into one of the most iconic roles in modern storytelling and made it unmistakably her own. As the daughter of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and his wife Nicola, Mia has grown up in the public eye, but nothing could have prepared her — or her family — for the extraordinary spotlight she now commands on London’s theatre scene.

At the centre of it all is The Hunger Games: On Stage, the first-ever theatrical adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ globally celebrated dystopian universe. The production, housed inside the purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, is an immersive reimagining of Katniss Everdeen’s journey. And at just 20 years old, Mia is carrying the bow, the fire, and the weight of a character beloved by millions.

Though Mia has spent most of the past few months living and rehearsing in London, she hasn’t left home behind. Her social media is a blend of backstage glimpses and small mementos of her identity — most notably, a bracelet she recently shared with the words “Scouse Katniss” strung between pearl and star beads. A tiny accessory, but a loud statement: no matter where she stands, Liverpool stands with her.

Those who know Mia say that her determination and grounded nature make the bracelet fitting. She’s the type who carries her upbringing proudly, even while stepping into the international limelight.

One of the most extraordinary moments of Mia’s preparation came when she received her marked-up script — and found a handwritten note from Suzanne Collins attached. The original creator of The Hunger Games wrote:

“For Mia, may the odds be ever in your favour. Thank you for your amazing work bringing Katniss to life on the stage. Love, Suzanne Collins.”

For any young actor, praise from the author of the series would be career-defining; for Mia, whose admiration for the books and films began long before she ever stood on a stage, it was nothing short of surreal.

When casting was officially announced, Mia described the opportunity with palpable emotion:

“I’m so excited and honoured to be playing Katniss. This is a dream come true role. From being a huge fan of the films, I feel so lucky to be part of the Hunger Games world.”

It’s clear from everything that’s followed — the long nights of rehearsal, the physical training, the emotional preparation — that she meant every word.

While Mia may be taking the stage alone, she isn’t facing this moment alone. Jamie Carragher and his wife Nicola have attended early rehearsals, previews, and the official opening night on November 12. The former Liverpool defender has been candid about the rollercoaster of emotions he’s experiencing watching his daughter take on such a monumental role.

“I’m a little bit nervous,” Jamie admitted in an interview with the Liverpool Echo. “It’s your daughter, your baby. But I’m so excited for her. She’s put so much work in — they’re not leaving the theatre until ten o’clock most nights just to get everything right.”

Pride and nerves blend together for any parent, but especially when the world is watching. Mia’s leap into the industry is no small step; it’s a declaration.

Though many may be discovering her for the first time through The Hunger Games, Mia’s artistic journey didn’t begin here. Her previous credits include One Night in Istanbul and The Gathering on Channel 4, small but meaningful steps that paved the way to this breakthrough moment.

Colleagues, directors, and nearby performers have praised her discipline, noting how she approaches rehearsals with the same precision and intensity her father once brought to the pitch. The transformation from Mia to Katniss — fierce, resilient, and emotionally layered — has been one of the project’s biggest talking points.

Katniss Everdeen is more than a character; she’s an emblem — of defiance, hope, sacrifice, and the survival of spirit. For a young actress to take her on demands not only talent, but courage. And by all accounts, Mia has embraced the challenge with both hands.

The production itself is a technical marvel: expansive staging, immersive soundscapes, and action sequences crafted for live performance. It’s a world where every breath is amplified — and Mia stands at its centre, steady and commanding.

There is a sense among theatre watchers that Mia Carragher is just getting started. That The Hunger Games: On Stage may be her launchpad — the beginning of a career destined to stretch far beyond the British stage.

Yet no matter how far she goes, or how brightly she burns, it’s clear she intends to carry her roots with her. The world might see her as Katniss Everdeen now, but to many — especially back home — she will always be the girl who dared big dreams but never forgot where she came from.

And perhaps that’s what Suzanne Collins saw when she handed her the role: not just an actress, but a spirit capable of rising to the arena.

For Mia Carragher, 2025 is not simply a breakthrough year — it’s a declaration of identity, talent, and fire. And judging from the standing ovations, the glowing reviews, and the pride swelling from Liverpool all the way to London, her odds aren’t just in her favour…
They’re setting the stage alight.