Joseph Zada Bio: Age, Career, Television & The Hunger Games
Joseph Zada is an Australian actor who has quickly gained international attention. He became widely known after landing major roles in We Were Liars and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Born in Sydney, Australia, Zada began developing his acting skills through theatre and screen training. He also comes from a family with strong connections to the entertainment industry.
Zada originally worked under the name Joseph Cumpston. He now uses the family name Zada professionally. Several of his earlier acting credits therefore appear under his former name.
His career gained momentum after appearances in Australian productions. However, his casting as young Haymitch Abernathy transformed his international profile.
In 2026, Zada also stars as Cal Trask in Netflix’s East of Eden. The seven-episode limited series premiered globally on October 1, 2026.
Joseph Zada Age and Early Life
Joseph Zada was born in 2005 in Sydney, Australia. Reports identify him as an Australian actor who grew up in Sydney.
He grew up in a creative family with several connections to acting and filmmaking. His father, Jeremy Cumpston, works as an actor and director.
His mother, Jessica Brentnall, works as a film producer. His older brother, Hal Cumpston, also pursued acting.
Zada has described his family environment as an important influence on his interest in filmmaking. He often participated in his brother’s audition preparation.
Instead of treating auditions as simple exercises, the family turned them into small productions. This experience helped Zada understand acting and filmmaking from an early age.
How Did Joseph Zada Start Acting?
Zada initially did not consider acting his career path. However, a school production of Romeo and Juliet changed his perspective.
He eventually became interested in acting after performing on stage. He then pursued professional training and looked for representation.
His early career developed during a difficult period for young performers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he wrote a short film for an online acting class.
That project unexpectedly helped him attract attention from an acting representative. His professional opportunities increased after that breakthrough.
Zada also trained at Screenwise Film and Television Acting School. He continued working with international acting coach Miranda Harcourt.
His dedication later earned recognition through the AACTA Young Stars National Youth Casting Call. In 2024, he became one of the competition’s Top 50 finalists.
Joseph Zada’s First Acting Roles
Zada began building his screen career through Australian productions.
One of his early credits came in the coming-of-age comedy Bilched . He played Toby under the name Joseph Cumpston.
He later appeared in Total Control , an Australian political drama series. He played Daniel in the series under the name Jo Cumpston.
Zada also appeared in The Speedway Murders and the short film David Jones Locker. These projects helped him gain valuable experience before his international breakthrough.
His early work showed his ability to move between different genres. More importantly, it gave him opportunities to work alongside experienced Australian performers.
Joseph Zada in Invisible Boys
One of Zada’s significant early roles came in the Australian series Invisible Boys .
The series adapts Holden Sheppard’s novel and follows several young men dealing with identity, family expectations and belonging.
Zada plays Charlie Roth, one of the central characters. The role required him to explore complicated teenage emotions and personal struggles.
The series premiered on Stan in February 2025. Zada’s performance helped introduce him to a wider Australian television audience.
His work on the series also demonstrated his ability to carry emotionally demanding material. That experience prepared him for more prominent international projects.
Joseph Zada in We Were Liars
Zada gained another major opportunity with Prime Video’s We Were Liars .
The series adapts E. Lockhart’s bestselling novel. Zada plays Johnny Sinclair Dennis, a member of the wealthy Sinclair family.
The role introduced him to international audiences before his Hunger Games casting. It also allowed him to work with a young ensemble cast on a high-profile streaming production.
Zada brought a complicated emotional quality to Johnny. His performance helped establish him as an actor capable of portraying layered young characters.
His work on We Were Liars became an important step toward his Hollywood career. IMDb lists the series among his notable credits alongside Invisible Boys and The Hunger Games.
Joseph Zada as Young Haymitch Abernathy
Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
The casting represents the biggest role of his career so far. The film adapts Suzanne Collins’ fifth Hunger Games novel.
The story takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen’s Hunger Games. It focuses on Haymitch during the Second Quarter Quell, also known as the 50th Hunger Games.
Woody Harrelson previously portrayed the older Haymitch in the original film series. Zada therefore takes on a character with an established history and personality.
The filmmakers did not want Zada to simply imitate Harrelson. Instead, producers sought an actor who could capture Haymitch’s earlier personality.
Producer Nina Jacobson said Zada prepared extensively for the role. She also described his audition process as particularly impressive.
Zada’s casting attracted significant attention because Haymitch remains one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters.
The film also features Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Glenn Close and Kieran Culkin.
Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to reach cinemas on November 20, 2026.
Joseph Zada in East of Eden
In 2026, Zada took another major step with Netflix’s East of Eden .
The limited series comes from writer and co-showrunner Zoe Kazan. It adapts John Steinbeck’s classic novel and explores the complicated Trask family.
Zada plays Cal Trask, the son of Adam Trask and a central figure in the younger generation.
The series also stars Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Ciarán Hinds and Hoon Lee.
Netflix released all seven episodes globally on October 1, 2026.
Zada’s involvement gives him another prominent role alongside established international performers.
The series follows multiple generations of the Trask family. It explores family conflict, identity, morality and difficult personal choices.
Netflix’s official cast information confirms Zada’s role as Cal Trask.
Joseph Zada’s Acting Influences
Zada has spoken about several actors who influenced his approach to acting.
He has particularly admired River Phoenix, whom he considers one of his favorite actors. He has also cited performers such as Heath Ledger and Timothée Chalamet as influences.
Zada has explained that he studies films closely with his father. Their discussions often focus on individual performances and specific acting choices.
He also considers Stand by Me an especially meaningful film. The movie made a strong impression on him during his childhood.
These influences help explain his interest in emotionally complex characters. His recent roles have consistently required him to explore complicated relationships and internal conflicts.
Joseph Zada’s Family Background
Zada comes from a family involved in entertainment.
His father, Jeremy Cumpston, has worked as an actor and director. His mother, Jessica Brentnall, works as a film producer.
His older brother Hal Cumpston is also an actor. Hal has appeared in productions including The Walking Dead: World Beyond and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Zada has credited his family with helping him understand filmmaking. Their home environment gave him an early opportunity to observe acting, directing and audition preparation.
Joseph Zada’s Heritage
Zada has Barkindji First Nations heritage, according to the official Invisible Boys cast biography.
His background forms part of his Australian identity and professional story. The same biography notes his extensive involvement with Sydney’s theatre, film and television community.
Joseph Zada Career Highlights
Zada’s career has developed rapidly within a relatively short period.
His notable credits include:
- Bilched — Toby
- Total Control — Daniel
- The Speedway Murders — Dan
- David Jones Locker — Noel
- Invisible Boys — Charlie Roth
- We Were Liars — Johnny Sinclair Dennis
- East of Eden — Cal Trask
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping — young Haymitch Abernathy
These projects demonstrate his progression from Australian productions toward major international franchises.
What Is Joseph Zada Known For?
Joseph Zada is best known for playing young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
However, audiences may also recognize him from We Were Liars and Invisible Boys.
His role as Cal Trask in Netflix’s East of Eden further expands his international profile.
Together, these projects position Zada within a new generation of actors moving from Australian productions into global streaming and film projects.
Joseph Zada’s Future Career
Zada’s career entered a major new phase in 2026.
East of Eden gives him a substantial role in a prestigious literary adaptation. Meanwhile, Sunrise on the Reaping places him at the center of a globally recognized film franchise.
His upcoming work also connects him with established actors and major filmmakers. That exposure could provide opportunities across film, television and streaming productions.
For now, his career remains closely associated with dramatic, character-driven stories. His recent roles also show a growing range across contemporary drama, literary adaptations and franchise filmmaking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph Zada
How old is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada was born in 2005. Therefore, he is 21 years old in 2026.
Where is Joseph Zada from?
Joseph Zada comes from Sydney, Australia. He developed his acting career within Australia’s theatre and television industry.
What is Joseph Zada’s real name?
Zada was born Joseph Cumpston. He has also worked professionally under the names Joseph Cumpston and Jo Cumpston.
Who does Joseph Zada play in The Hunger Games?
Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Who does Joseph Zada play in East of Eden?
He plays Cal Trask in Netflix’s 2026 limited series East of Eden.
What movies and TV shows has Joseph Zada appeared in?
His credits include Bilched, Total Control, Invisible Boys, We Were Liars, East of Eden and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Is Joseph Zada Australian?
Yes. Joseph Zada is an Australian actor from Sydney.
What is Joseph Zada’s biggest role?
His most prominent role to date is young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film is scheduled for November 20, 2026.
Conclusion
Joseph Zada has quickly developed from a young Australian performer into an internationally recognized actor.
His early work in Australian productions gave him valuable screen experience. Later, Invisible Boys and We Were Liars expanded his audience.
In 2026, his career reached another milestone through East of Eden and Sunrise on the Reaping.
As young Haymitch, Zada steps into one of the most recognizable roles of his career. Meanwhile, his portrayal of Cal Trask introduces him to a major literary adaptation.
With these projects, Joseph Zada has established himself as a rising Australian actor to watch.
