A young Australian actor from Sydney has landed one of the most anticipated roles in recent franchise history. Joseph Zada, a 20-year-old performer with a handful of Australian screen credits, will play a young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The casting announcement, made in April 2025, immediately thrust him into the international spotlight.
Zada’s rise has been swift. A few years ago he was appearing in small Australian films and guest roles. Now he is attached to a major Lionsgate prequel, a Netflix limited series, and an Amazon Prime adaptation. For audiences wondering who this newcomer is, the details that are known paint a picture of a performer who grew up inside the Australian screen industry and is now stepping onto a global stage.
What follows is a fact-based profile of Joseph Zada, built from available biographical records, industry sources, and verified reporting. Where information remains unconfirmed, that is clearly stated.
Who Is Joseph Zada? Biography and Background
Joseph Cumpston (professionally Joseph Zada)
20 (born July 21, 2005)
Australian
Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)
- Joseph Zada is a rapidly rising Australian actor who secured the iconic role of Haymitch Abernathy in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel.
- He is best known for his roles in We Were Liars (2025) and Total Control (2024).
- His real name is Joseph Cumpston; he uses “Joseph Zada” as his professional stage name.
- He has a significant social media following of 361K on Instagram, reflecting strong public interest.
- He comes from a showbiz family with both parents working in the Australian screen industry.
- He studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, according to one source.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor |
| Birth Name | Joseph Cumpston |
| Date of Birth | July 21, 2005 |
| Age (2026) | 20 years old |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known For | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026), We Were Liars (2025), Total Control (2024) |
What Is Joseph Zada Known For? Career and Major Roles
Early Work and First Screen Credits
Zada’s screen debut came in 2019 with the film Bilched, according to multiple sources. That same year appeared in the television series Total Control in a guest role as Daniel. These early credits established him as a working actor in the Australian industry. In 2023 he starred in The Speedway Murders, an Australian film. A detailed overview of his credits is available on his IMDb profile.
Zada’s family has deep roots in Australian screen production. His father, Jeremy Cumpston, works as a director, actor, and doctor. His mother, Jessica Brentnall, is a film producer. Sources also report that he has three siblings, including actor Hal Cumpston.
Recent Television Roles
In 2025 Zada joined the main cast of Invisible Boys, playing a character named Charlie Roth according to one source. He also appears in We Were Liars, an Amazon Prime adaptation listed in several industry databases. That same year he was announced as part of the cast for Netflix’s upcoming limited series East of Eden, which is expected in 2026.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
In April 2025 Lionsgate confirmed that Zada would play Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel based on Suzanne Collins’s novel. The role is a younger version of the character — specifically a 16-year-old District 12 resident, according to a Russh Magazine interview. The film is scheduled for release in 2026.
What Role Does Joseph Zada Play in The Hunger Games?
Haymitch Abernathy at 16
The role of Haymitch Abernathy was previously portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original Hunger Games films. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Zada takes on the character as a teenager. The prequel is set decades before the events of the original story, during Haymitch’s own experience as a tribute in the Games. One source describes the character as a 16-year-old resident of District 12.
What the Casting Means for Zada’s Career
Landing a lead role in a major franchise at age 20 is a significant career milestone. The casting places him alongside established stars from the original Hunger Games films and the earlier prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Industry observers note that the buzz around his casting — reflected in his 361K Instagram followers — indicates high audience anticipation for the film.
Zada’s stage name choice — using “Zada” rather than his birth name “Cumpston” — may reflect branding decisions typical for international marketability. His father Jeremy Cumpston is a well-known figure in Australian television, but Zada has built his own professional identity.
Is Joseph Zada Single? Personal Life and Family
Family Background
Zada’s parents are both involved in the screen industry. His father, Jeremy Cumpston, is a director, actor, and medical doctor. His mother, Jessica Brentnall, works as a film producer. Sources report that he grew up in what one outlet described as a “showbiz family.” He has three siblings, including actor Hal Cumpston, according to Wikipedia sources.
Relationship Status and Privacy
Available sources provide very little confirmed personal-life information beyond family background, birthplace, and ancestry. One source says Zada lives in Los Angeles and keeps details of his personal life private. There is no publicly known partner, and no statements from Zada or his representatives confirm or deny a relationship. At this time, his relationship status is considered unverified.
Some online sources speculate about Zada’s height, ethnicity, and relationship status, but no official listings from agencies or verified interviews confirm these details. The only ethnicity information available comes from one source stating he has Afghanistan-Aboriginal ancestry through his paternal great-grandmother.
Social Media Presence
Zada maintains an active Instagram account under the handle josephzada, where he has accumulated 361K followers. The platform serves as his primary public-facing channel and is considered self-authenticated.
When Did Joseph Zada’s Career Begin? A Timeline
- July 21, 2005 — Born as Joseph Cumpston in Sydney, Australia.
- 2019 — First appeared in the TV series Total Control and made his film debut in Bilched.
- 2023 — Starred in the Australian film The Speedway Murders.
- 2024 — Appeared in a guest role as Daniel on Total Control.
- 2025 — Cast in Amazon Prime’s We Were Liars and joined the main cast of Invisible Boys.
- April 2025 — Announced as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
- 2026 — Expected release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping and Netflix’s East of Eden.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Joseph Zada?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Professional name is Joseph Zada; credited as such in all projects. | Relationship status — no publicly known partner or statements confirm this. |
| Born Joseph Cumpston in Sydney, Australia on July 21, 2005. | Height — no official listing from agencies or verified interviews. |
| Parents are Jeremy Cumpston and Jessica Brentnall. | Specific ethnic background — reported as Australian, with one source citing Afghanistan-Aboriginal ancestry. |
| Breakout role is young Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the Reaping. | Whether he has a brother — sources mention three siblings including Hal Cumpston, but details are limited. |
What Does Joseph Zada’s Casting Mean for the Hunger Games Franchise?
The casting of a relatively unknown Australian actor in one of the franchise’s most beloved roles follows the pattern set by earlier Hunger Games films, which often elevated emerging talent. Zada’s selection signals that the producers are looking for a fresh interpretation of Haymitch — one that shows the character before decades of trauma shaped the cynical mentor audiences know from the original series.
His stage name choice and his training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts suggest a performer who has prepared for international visibility. The buzz around his casting, measured by rapid social media growth, indicates that audiences are curious about how this new interpretation will compare to Woody Harrelson’s established portrayal. For readers interested in other Australian actors making their mark internationally, see Sam Worthington – Biography, Net Worth, Movies & More (2025).
Subsequent casting announcements for films or series post-2026 are expected as Zada’s profile rises. Potential media appearances, interviews, and promotional tours for the Hunger Games film will likely provide more details about the actor behind the role.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Joseph Zada?
The most authoritative sources for Zada’s biography and career details include his Wikipedia page, which provides a verified filmography and birth date. Quick facts and age verification are available on Famous Birthdays. Additional project details can be found on The Movie Database.
“Joseph Zada is a 20-year-old Sydney-born actor with a growing screen career in Australian film and television.”
— Russh Magazine
“In April 2025, Lionsgate announced that Zada would play Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”
— Wikipedia
Who Is Joseph Zada? A Quick Summary
Joseph Zada is a 20-year-old Australian actor from Sydney, born Joseph Cumpston, who rose to prominence after being cast as a young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. He comes from a family with deep roots in Australian screen production, has appeared in films and television series including Total Control, We Were Liars, and Invisible Boys, and is attached to upcoming projects including Netflix’s East of Eden. For readers interested in other Australian actors making their mark internationally, see Hero Fiennes-Tiffin – Complete Biography, Age, Movies and Facts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph Zada
What is Joseph Zada’s real name?
Joseph Zada was born Joseph Cumpston. He uses “Zada” as his professional stage name.
Does Joseph Zada have a brother?
Sources report that he has three siblings, including actor Hal Cumpston. Further details about his siblings are limited.
How tall is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada’s height has not been officially listed or confirmed by any agency or verified interview.
What is Joseph Zada’s ethnicity?
Joseph Zada is Australian. One source states he has Afghanistan-Aboriginal ancestry through his paternal great-grandmother.
Is Joseph Zada single?
There is no publicly known partner, and no statements from Zada or his representatives confirm or deny a relationship. His relationship status is currently unverified.
What movies and TV shows has Joseph Zada been in?
His credits include Bilched (2019), The Speedway Murders (2023), Total Control (2024), Invisible Boys (2025), and We Were Liars (2025). Upcoming projects include East of Eden and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (both 2026).
When is Joseph Zada’s birthday?
Joseph Zada was born on July 21, 2005.
Where is Joseph Zada from?
He was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. One source reports that he currently lives in Los Angeles.
Is Joseph Zada on Instagram?
Yes, he is active on Instagram under the handle josephzada, where he has 361K followers.
Who plays young Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping?
Joseph Zada plays the 16-year-old version of Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for release in 2026.
Henry Wallace is Managing Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, running the daily news list, the regional publishing schedule and newsroom workflow.