Joseph Zada is an Australian actor best known for playing Johnny Sinclair Dennis in Prime Video’s We Were Liars and Charlie Roth in Stan’s Invisible Boys. The most important Joseph Zada movies and TV shows also include Bilched, The Speedway Murders, Netflix’s East of Eden, and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, in which he plays young Haymitch Abernathy.
Born on July 21, 2005, Zada is 21 years old as of August 2026. His career has moved quickly from smaller Australian productions to leading roles in two major literary adaptations. Here is a fact-checked look at his screen credits, age, height, family, girlfriend and upcoming projects.
Who Is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is a Sydney-born Australian actor whose full birth name is Joseph Cumpston. He began appearing on screen under the Cumpston name before adopting Zada, an older family surname, professionally.
Zada grew up in a filmmaking family, but he did not initially plan to become an actor. In a 2025 profile, he explained that participating in a local production of Romeo and Juliet helped change his view of acting. Early appearances followed, but his first major television booking was Invisible Boys, which he secured in 2023 before the series premiered in 2025. Vanity Fair’s profile documents his early life, family and breakthrough in detail.
His rapid rise accelerated when he landed three prominent book adaptations: We Were Liars, East of Eden and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. That combination has made the complete Joseph Zada movies and TV shows list increasingly relevant to audiences discovering him for the first time.
For another young actor whose career expanded after a major film breakthrough, read our Miles Caton biography.
Table of Contents
Joseph Zada Quick Facts
Joseph Zada is 21, comes from Sydney, Australia, and is known professionally as an actor. The table below separates well-supported details from information that remains approximate.
| Fact | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Full birth name | Joseph Cumpston |
| Professional name | Joseph Zada |
| Date of birth | July 21, 2005 |
| Age | 21 years old as of August 2026 |
| Birthplace | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Actor |
| Reported height | Approximately 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m); public listings vary |
| Father | Jeremy Cumpston |
| Mother | Jessica Brentnall |
| Older brother | Hal Cumpston |
| Reported girlfriend | Polly Talarico; the relationship has not been formally confirmed in a direct public statement |
| Breakthrough roles | Charlie Roth, Johnny Sinclair Dennis and young Haymitch Abernathy |
Joseph Zada Movies and TV Shows: Complete List
Joseph Zada has eight notable released or officially confirmed screen credits as of August 2026. His work includes feature films, a short film, Australian dramas, a Prime Video mystery series, an upcoming Netflix limited series and the next Hunger Games movie.
| Year | Title | Type | Role | Status or notes |
| 2019 | Bilched | Film | Toby | Released; credited as Joseph Cumpston |
| 2023 | David Jones Locker | Short film | Noel | Released short film |
| 2023/2024 | The Speedway Murders | True-crime docudrama | Dan | Festival premiere in 2023; wider release in 2024 |
| 2024 | Total Control | TV series | Daniel | Guest role in three Season 3 episodes; credited as Jo Cumpston |
| 2025 | Invisible Boys | TV series | Charlie Roth | Main role across the ten-episode Stan series |
| 2025–present | We Were Liars | TV series | Johnny Sinclair Dennis | Season 1 released; Season 2 officially renewed |
| 2026 | East of Eden | Netflix limited series | Cal Trask | Seven episodes; premieres October 1, 2026 |
| 2026 | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | Film | Haymitch Abernathy | Lead role; releases November 20, 2026 |
This Joseph Zada movies and TV shows table includes confirmed acting roles rather than rumors or fan-casting suggestions. Release timing is stated precisely where a project had a festival premiere before its wider distribution. Key credits and dates were checked against Prime Video, Netflix, Lionsgate and Apple TV.
What Movies Has Joseph Zada Appeared In?
Joseph Zada has appeared in Bilched, David Jones Locker and The Speedway Murders, with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping becoming his biggest film role in 2026.
Bilched (2019)
Zada played Toby in Bilched, an Australian coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by his father, Jeremy Cumpston, and led by his older brother, Hal Cumpston. Joseph was credited under his birth surname, Cumpston.
David Jones Locker (2023)
Zada starred as Noel in the short film David Jones Locker. The story follows a shopper whose search for a jumper turns into a surreal experience inside a department store.
The Speedway Murders (2023/2024)
Zada portrayed Dan in The Speedway Murders, a true-crime documentary-drama about the unsolved 1978 Burger Chef murders in Indiana. The project premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival in October 2023 and received a wider theatrical and digital release in June 2024.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)
Zada leads the sixth Hunger Games film as a young Haymitch Abernathy. This is the role most likely to introduce the Joseph Zada movies and TV shows catalog to a global theatrical audience.
What TV Shows Has Joseph Zada Appeared In?
Joseph Zada has appeared in Total Control, Invisible Boys and We Were Liars, and he will next play Cal Trask in Netflix’s East of Eden. These roles show a progression from a small guest part to emotionally demanding lead performances.
Total Control (2024)
Zada appeared as Daniel in three episodes of the third season of the Australian political drama Total Control. The role was credited to Jo Cumpston, reflecting his earlier professional name.
Invisible Boys (2025)
Zada played Charlie Roth in the ten-part Stan drama Invisible Boys, adapted from Holden Sheppard’s novel. The story follows a group of young men in Geraldton, Western Australia, as they face identity, isolation, sexuality and social expectations. Although he had worked on smaller projects earlier, Zada described this series as his first major professional booking.
We Were Liars (2025–Present)
Zada plays Johnny Sinclair Dennis, one of the central “Liars,” in Prime Video’s psychological mystery drama. All eight first-season episodes premiered on June 18, 2025. Amazon MGM Studios renewed the series for a second season and confirmed that the story will return to Prime Video, although no Season 2 release date has been announced.
East of Eden (2026)
Zada plays Cal Trask in Zoe Kazan’s seven-episode adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. Netflix has confirmed that all seven episodes will stream globally on October 1, 2026. Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist and Joe Anders are among his co-stars.
Among Joseph Zada movies and TV shows, East of Eden is especially important because Cal is the character James Dean famously played in the 1955 film. Zada told Vanity Fair that he deliberately avoided watching Dean’s performance until his own work on the new adaptation was complete.
How Old Is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is 21 years old as of August 2026. He was born on July 21, 2005, and celebrated his 21st birthday on July 21, 2026. His date and place of birth are also listed by TV Insider.
His birth year is also supported by profiles published while he was 19 in June 2025 and 21 in August 2026. Using a dated age reference matters because older biographies may still describe him as 19 or 20.
When Is Joseph Zada’s Birthday?
Joseph Zada’s birthday is July 21. His full reported date of birth is July 21, 2005, making Cancer his zodiac sign.
Where Is Joseph Zada From?
Joseph Zada is from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was born and raised there before his career began taking him to international productions in Canada, New Zealand, Spain and the United States.
In 2026, Zada explained that his professional surname came from his grandmother’s family. He described that side of his heritage as Australian Indigenous and Afghan, connecting the name Zada to an Afghan cameleer ancestor. This account comes from Zada’s conversation with Elle Fanning and provides more reliable context than unsourced biography claims.
How Tall Is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is commonly listed as approximately 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall, but his exact height has not been publicly confirmed by the actor. IMDb currently lists 6 feet 2 inches, while some other online profiles list 6 feet 1 inch.
Because reputable published listings differ, the safest answer is that he appears to be around 6 feet 1–2 inches tall. Treating a single unverified measurement as certain would be misleading.
Readers interested in rising actors from popular screen adaptations can also explore our detailed Kit Connor profile.
Who Are Joseph Zada’s Parents?
Joseph Zada’s parents are Jeremy Cumpston and Jessica Brentnall. His father is an actor, director and doctor, while his mother is a film producer.
Zada is the second-oldest of five siblings. His older brother, Hal Cumpston, is also an actor and is known for projects including The Walking Dead: World Beyond. In interviews, Joseph has credited Hal with helping spark his interest in acting and assisting with auditions. Their creative household also treated self-taped auditions like small films, using costumes and more developed production ideas.
His family connection explains why several early Joseph Zada movies and TV shows credits appear under Joseph Cumpston. The switch to Zada was a professional choice tied to his family heritage, not evidence that two different actors share the credits.
Does Joseph Zada Have a Girlfriend?
Joseph Zada is reportedly dating Polly Talarico, but he has not publicly confirmed the relationship in a formal interview or statement. An August 2026 Cosmopolitanreport linked the pair through social-media posts and appearances while also noting that both keep their private lives low-key.
In a 2025 Vanity Fair interview, Zada mentioned that a girlfriend helped create the short film that indirectly led him to an acting agent during the pandemic. He did not name her, and it is not confirmed that the person in that story was Talarico. Therefore, “reportedly linked to Polly Talarico” is more accurate than presenting the relationship as an undisputed fact.
Who Does Joseph Zada Play in The Hunger Games?
Joseph Zada plays 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Woody Harrelson played the older version of Haymitch in the original film series.
The prequel takes place 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s first Games and follows the 50th Hunger Games, also called the Second Quarter Quell. Haymitch is selected as one of District 12’s four tributes because that year’s special rules double the usual number of competitors.
Zada has explained that his performance retains elements of Haymitch’s intelligence, sarcasm and moral instincts while exploring who the character was before trauma changed him. Whitney Peak plays Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner, Elle Fanning plays Effie Trinket, and Ralph Fiennes plays President Snow.
Lionsgate lists the U.S. theatrical release date as November 20, 2026. This lead performance is expected to become the most widely seen entry among Joseph Zada movies and TV shows.
You can also compare his reported height with our fact-checked guide explaining how tall Denzel Washington is.
What Are Joseph Zada’s Upcoming Projects?
Joseph Zada’s confirmed upcoming projects are East of Eden, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping and a second season of We Were Liars.
- East of Eden premieres globally on Netflix on October 1, 2026.
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping reaches U.S. theaters on November 20, 2026.
- We Were Liars Season 2 has been renewed and is in development, but Prime Video has not announced a release date.
These releases give the Joseph Zada movies and TV shows topic strong continuing search potential through late 2026 and beyond.
Why Is Joseph Zada Becoming Famous?
Joseph Zada is becoming famous because he moved from acclaimed Australian dramas to leading roles in globally recognized book adaptations within a short period. We Were Liars introduced him to Prime Video viewers, while East of Eden pairs him with established actors such as Florence Pugh. Playing Haymitch gives him the central role in a major theatrical franchise.
His rise is also supported by the range of his characters: Charlie Roth is a guarded young man facing identity and belonging, Johnny Sinclair Dennis hides pain beneath privilege and confidence, Cal Trask wrestles with family and morality, and Haymitch begins as an intelligent teenager before becoming the hardened mentor audiences already know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joseph Zada best known for?
Joseph Zada is best known for playing Johnny Sinclair Dennis in We Were Liars, Charlie Roth in Invisible Boys, and young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
How old is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is 21 years old as of August 2026. He was born on July 21, 2005.
How tall is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is listed by IMDb as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m), although other public profiles report 6 feet 1 inch. His exact height has not been personally confirmed in a reliable interview.
Where is Joseph Zada from?
Joseph Zada is from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, where he was born and raised.
Who are Joseph Zada’s parents?
Joseph Zada’s parents are actor-director and doctor Jeremy Cumpston and film producer Jessica Brentnall.
Does Joseph Zada have a girlfriend?
Joseph Zada is reportedly linked to Polly Talarico as of August 2026. However, he has not formally confirmed the relationship in a public statement.
What is Joseph Zada’s role in East of Eden?
Joseph Zada plays Cal Trask in Netflix’s seven-episode East of Eden limited series, which premieres globally on October 1, 2026.
Who plays young Haymitch Abernathy?
Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for release in the United States on November 20, 2026.
Final Thoughts
Joseph Zada has built a concise but fast-growing screen career led by Invisible Boys, We Were Liars, East of Eden and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The verified Joseph Zada movies and TV shows list reveals a young actor moving from Australian productions to major international roles without a long period of minor credits.
With two high-profile releases arriving in late 2026 and another season of We Were Liars confirmed, his career is entering its most visible stage. For readers seeking accurate information, the clearest facts are that he is a 21-year-old Australian actor from Sydney, he comes from a filmmaking family, and young Haymitch is his biggest role to date.