Joseph Zada

Biography

Joseph Zada is an Australian actor who has experienced a meteoric rise from local television to leading a global blockbuster franchise. Born into an entertainment family (the son of actor Jeremy Cumpston), Zada first gained critical acclaim in his native Australia playing Charlie Roth in the Stan original series "Invisible Boys" (2025). In 2026, he secured one of the most coveted roles in young Hollywood. After a reported worldwide search, he was cast as the young Haymitch Abernathy in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" (November 20, 2026). Zada plays the future District 12 mentor during his own time as a tribute in the 50th Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell). His performance is expected to explore the tragic origins of the character originally made famous by Woody Harrelson, focusing on Haymitch's physical prowess and "implicit submission" to the Capitol's rules. Beyond Panem, 2026 is a breakout year for his dramatic range. He stars as Cal Trask in the Netflix limited series adaptation of Steinbeck's "East of Eden", acting alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist. This follows his success in the Prime Video mystery series "We Were Liars" (2025), where he played the chaotic Johnny Sinclair.