Joseph Zada’s name has begun circulating with the momentum of someone stepping into a role larger than anything on his résumé so far. Now, with The Hunger Games 6, he steps into the franchise as Haymitch Abernathy, inheriting a character marked by survival, scars and reluctant heroism.
His casting signals a shift not only for the series but for Zada himself, whose earlier roles hinted at a talent more layered than the screen time he’d been given. The transition to a world as established as Panem places him at the center of a story where mentorship, memory and rebellion intersect.
Who Is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada (born Joseph Cumpston) is a young Australian actor whose star is rising quickly. Though relatively new to international audiences, he has already made a name for himself in his home country, earning recognition for both his dramatic and complex performances. He is best known now for being cast as a young Haymitch Abernathy in the upcoming The Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping.
Joseph Zada in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. (Source: IMDb)
Joseph Zada’s Age and Background
Zada was born on July 21, 2005, in Sydney, Australia. He comes from a deeply artistic family: his father, Jeremy Cumpston, is both an actor and a director (and a doctor), while his mother, Jessica Brentnall, produces films.
He also has three siblings, including actor Hal Cumpston. On top of his Australian heritage, Zada draws from a rich cultural background—through his paternal line he has Afghan and Aboriginal Australian roots.
His Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Zada’s acting journey began in 2019 with the Australian film Bilched, where he played a character named Toby. This debut came under the direction of his father, giving him early exposure to a very personal creative environment.
He later shifted to more dramatic territory, acting in the crime thriller The Speedway Murders (2023). In 2024, he appeared in the politically charged Australian TV series Total Control, taking on a supporting role over several episodes.
Joseph Zada and Shubham Maheshwari in We Were Liars. (Source: IMDb)
Filmography: Key Projects and Notable Performances
Over the past few years, Zada’s résumé has steadily expanded. He broke through in television with Invisible Boys (2025), a Stan Australia series in which he plays Charlie Roth, a teenager navigating identity and belonging in the backdrop of Australia’s marriage-equality debates.
He also stars in the Prime Video adaptation of We Were Liars, portraying Johnny Sinclair. On the film side, beyond Bilched, he featured in The Speedway Murders. And looking ahead, he’s set to appear in Netflix’s adaptation of East of Eden as Cal Trask.
How He Landed the Role of Haymitch Abernathy
In April 2025, Lionsgate officially announced that Zada would play a young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. His casting was especially notable because he beat out many “really big” names for the part, according to his We Were Liars co-star Emily Alyn Lind. The film is adapting Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name and explores the 50th Hunger Games, a key moment in Panem’s history.
Joseph Zada in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. (Source: IMDb)
What’s Next for Joseph Zada
With Sunrise on the Reaping shaping up to be his breakout moment on the global stage, Zada is already balancing big projects. He continues in his role on We Were Liars, and his casting as Cal Trask in Netflix’s East of Eden suggests his range is broadening dramatically.
As his profile grows, the industry is watching closely: his mix of grounded performances and franchise potential marks him as one of the rising young actors to follow.
