He’s the name on everyone’s lips right now, about to take Hollywood by storm – but who exactly is Aussie star Joseph Zada?
If you’re not familiar with the actor, then you’re not alone. Having seemingly come out of nowhere, the actor has had a pretty meteoric rise over the past couple of years, about to made all the bigger with his role in the upcoming prequel film The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping.
Indeed, it’s his next project – taking over as Haymitch Abernathy in the role made famous by Woody Harrelson in The Hunger Games prequel Sunrise On The Reaping – that is set to launch him into the stratosphere.
As excitement reaches fever pitch over the movie, here’s everything you need to know about the hot, young – Aussie! – star of one of the most highly anticipated films of 2026.
Who is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is an up-and-coming Australian actor.
Born and raised in Sydney, the 20-year-old grew up in somewhat of a showbiz family.
His dad, Jeremy Cumpston, is an actor, director and doctor. Most notably, he starred as Connor Costello in All Saints from 1998–2001.
Mum Jessica Brentnall is an executive producer, best known for her work on Mr Inbetween.
Is Joseph Zada Australian?
Yes, Joseph Zada is a true-blue Aussie!
In fact, he is of Afghan-Aboriginal descent through his paternal great-grandmother, who was of Barkandji heritage.
Joseph’s dad, Jeremy, was born in Darwin, where his own father, Trevor, worked as a radiographer in remote Aboriginal communities.
Is Joseph Zada related to anyone famous?
Yes! Along with his parents, Joseph Zada’s half-brother is fellow actor Hal Cumpston.
While Joseph initially performed under his given surname, Cumpston, he changed it to Zada a couple of years ago. The first roles credited under Zada were 2025’s Invisible Boys and We Were Liars.
Big brother Hal, 27, is an actor, writer and producer. He gave Joseph his first role in his film Bilched in 2019, which he wrote, starred in and produced, and dad Jeremy directed.
Hal is best known for his role in the first instalment of Nine Perfect Strangers, as Silas Plaskett in The Walking Dead: World Beyond and series Safe Home, The Artful Dodger and Going Dutch.
What has Joseph Zada been in?
Following a small role in local production Total Control in 2024, Joseph scored the lead role in Stan Original Series Invisible Boys in 2025.
Based on the novel by Holden Sheppard, the boundary-pushing coming-of-age drama is set in 2017, during the same-sex marriage plebiscite. Joseph plays a gay teen who is outed on social media following an encounter with a married man.
The actor received critical acclaim for his portrayal.
He followed that up with a starring role in Prime Video’s US psychological thriller We Were Liars. Also based on a novel, by E Lockhart, it featured an ensemble cast that also included Emily Alyn Lind, Mamie Gummer, Caitlin FitzGerald and Candice King.
In April 2025, it was announced that Joseph would be starring in the upcoming prequel film The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping.
Joseph plays Haymitch Abernathy – the character made famous by Woody Harrelson in the four original films – in this latest instalment. The film will premiere in cinemas on November 20, 2026.
What do we know so far about The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is set 24 years before the events of the first The Hunger Games film. That movie was centred on Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she volunteered as tribute to compete in the 74th Hunger Games in place of her younger sister, Primrose (Willow Shields).
It also acts as a sequel to the 2023 film The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes.
Returning to Panem, this movie sees n a young Haymitch selected to compete in the 50th Hunger Games, aka the Second Quarter Quell.
With each district having to send twice as many tributes to the Capital to fight to the death in this barbaric ritual, the stakes are higher than ever.
Elle Fanning stars as Effie Trinket, with Ralph Fiennes as President Snow and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman.
Whitney Peak plays Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Iris Apatow and Glenn Close are also among the star-studded cast.
Back on home soil attending the 2026 GQ Men Of The Year Awards in Sydney on April 1, Joseph accepted the Breakthrough Actor Of The Year Award. He spoke of his experience filming the movie.
“It was incredible. I was in almost every scene,” he gushed. He called the cast “family” to him now.
As for his preparation for the role, he told the publication, “I watched a lot of the old movies, I read the books. And I kind of went for my own swing of an interpretation of it.”
Why is everyone talking about Joseph Zada?
The star of the upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping is seriously hot property right now.
On April 1, he was back in his hometown looking dapper in a Prada suit as he attended the 2026 GQ Men Of The Year Awards.
Taking to the stage at the Overseas Passenger Terminal to accept the Breakthrough Actor Of The Year Award, however, a slip-of-the-tongue during his speech had the crowd roaring with laughter. And the moment quickly went viral!
“Thanks to my agent, Trent Baker, for … rooting me … uh, rooting for me,” he quickly corrected. Oops!
Is there a trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping?
So far, only a teaser has been released. But it’s a pretty good one!
You can watch the teaser for yourself below.
While there’s limited dialogue, there’s plenty of action to be seen, as the Quarter Quell tributes battle for their lives.
Eagle-eared fans will also note the voice of the original Haymitch – Woody Harrelson – at the very end.
Listen closely as he says, “I think these Games are gonna be different.”
