Joseph Zada – Biography, Hunger Games Role and Rise to Fame

Joseph Zada is an Australian actor who has rapidly gained international attention for his portrayal of a young Haymitch Abernathy in the upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Born Joseph Cumpston in Sydney, Australia, on July 21, 2005, he is 20 years old as of 2026. His career, which includes roles in television series such as Total Control and the Prime Video drama We Were Liars, marks him as one of the most talked-about emerging talents from Australia.

Zada’s professional name is a family surname, chosen as he began acting in his teens. His early work in Australian productions laid the groundwork for a breakout year in 2025, when he was cast in both a major streaming series and one of the most anticipated film prequels in recent memory.

Who Is Joseph Zada? Biography, Age, and Background

Key Insights

• Joseph Zada is an Australian actor who rose to prominence at age 19 after being cast as a young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026).
• He stars as Johnny in the Prime Video series We Were Liars, which premiered in 2025.
• His real name is Joseph Cumpston, but he performs professionally as Joseph Zada.
• Zada has amassed over 344,000 followers on Instagram, reflecting strong early career fan engagement.
• His early credits include the 2019 coming-of-age film Bilched and the TV series Total Control.

Snapshot Facts

What Is Joseph Zada Known For? Key Acting Roles

Early Australian Work

Zada’s first credited screen role came in the 2019 television series Total Control, where he appeared as Daniel, sometimes credited as Jo Cumpston or Joseph Cumpston. That same year he starred in the coming-of-age film Bilched as Toby. Both projects are documented on Wikipedia and IMDb.

The Speedway Murders and Invisible Boys

He later took on the role of Dan in The Speedway Murders and played Charlie Roth in the Australian drama Invisible Boys. These credits appear across multiple sources, including TV Insider.

East of Eden

Zada has also been cast as Cal Trask in a forthcoming adaptation of East of Eden, currently in post-production according to IMDb.

Is Joseph Zada Playing Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games?

Yes. Multiple authoritative sources, including Wikipedia, IMDb, and Famous Birthdays, confirm that Joseph Zada has been cast as a young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film is a prequel based on Suzanne Collins’ novel and is listed as a 2026 release or post-production project.

The casting is significant because the original character was played by Woody Harrelson in his 40s, while Zada portrays the teenage version of Haymitch, aligning with his actual age.

When Is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Coming Out?

The film is officially scheduled for 2026, though no specific month or day has been announced as of early 2026.

What Is We Were Liars and When Does It Release?

We Were Liars is a Prime Video series adapted from E. Lockhart’s novel. Joseph Zada plays Johnny Sinclair Dennis, one of the central characters in the mystery-drama. The series premiered in 2025, and Zada’s performance was highlighted in a July 2025 interview with Behind The Blinds Magazine, where he discussed working with co-star Esther McGregor and handling rapid fame.

Does Joseph Zada Have a Social Media Presence?

Yes. Zada is active on Instagram under the handle @josephzada. As of mid-2025, the account had over 343,000 followers. Follower counts change frequently, so this number should be considered a snapshot rather than a fixed statistic.

His Instagram feed includes behind-the-scenes content from his projects, personal posts, and promotional material. It is his most public social media channel.

How Did Joseph Zada’s Career Progress? A Timeline of Key Events

1. July 21, 2005 — Joseph Zada (born Joseph Cumpston) in Sydney, Australia.
2. 2019 — Appeared in the film Bilched and the TV series Total Control.
3. 2025 — Starred as Johnny in the Prime Video series We Were Liars.
4. July 2025 — Interview published in Behind The Blinds Magazine discussing We Were Liars and rapid fame.
5. 2026 (upcoming) — Set to portray a young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Joseph Zada?

What Is the Significance of Joseph Zada’s Rapid Rise?

Zada’s career represents a swift trajectory from minor Australian film and television roles to a globally recognized franchise within just a few years. His casting as a young Haymitch Abernathy is notable because the character was in his 40s in the original series, whereas Zada plays a teenage version in the prequel, closely matching his real age.

Securing a lead role in a major streaming series (We Were Liars) at the same time as a key part in an iconic film franchise positions him as one of the most prominent emerging young actors from Australia in the mid-2020s.

Where Does the Information About Joseph Zada Come From?

Primary sources for Zada’s biography and filmography include Wikipedia and IMDb, which list his credits, real name, and professional name. Famous Birthdays provides additional personal details such as family members and height (6′1″ / 1.85 m). A July 2025 interview in Behind The Blinds Magazine offered a personal perspective on his rapid rise. Vanity Fair also profiled his background and name change.

Social media statistics come directly from his public Instagram account (@josephzada), where follower counts are variable.

What’s Next for Joseph Zada?

Zada’s primary focus in the near term will be the promotional cycle and release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping in 2026. Additional casting announcements for future projects in 2026 and beyond are likely. As his profile rises, his social media following is expected to continue growing. For readers interested in more behind-the-scenes details, see the Cast of The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Full Guide or explore the career of another Australian actor in Scott Eastwood – Biography, Movies, Family and Net Worth.

Frequently Asked Questions