Joseph Zada

Joseph Zada is an Australian actor known for his work in film and television. Previously performing under the name Joseph Cumpston, Zada transitioned to his current professional name after beginning his career using his given surname. Coming from a family involved in the film industry, Zada initially pursued football before turning to acting. His first notable role was as Toby in the comedy drama "Bilched," directed by his father Jeremy and featuring his brother Hal.

Zada continued to build his career through roles in Australian productions, including a lead role as Dan in the crime documentary film "The Speedway Murders." He also appeared as Daniel in the political drama series "Total Control." Zada starred as Charlie Roth in the Stan series "Invisible Boys," which explores the experiences of teens in Geraldton following the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey. In this series, Zada portrayed a gay teen navigating the challenges of being outed on social media.

Zada's international recognition increased with his lead role as Johnny Sinclair Dennis in the Amazon Prime Video series "We Were Liars," an adaptation of E. Lockhart's young adult novel. The series examines family secrets and tragedy among affluent teens. Zada's performance in "We Were Liars" led to further opportunities, including being cast as Cal Trask in the Netflix series "East of Eden," based on the John Steinbeck novel. In this adaptation, Zada plays one of the twin sons central to the story, joining a cast that includes Florence Pugh, Mike Faist, and Christopher Abbott.

Zada was later announced to star as Haymitch Abernathy in the Lionsgate film "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," based on the prequel novel to "The Hunger Games." He was selected for the role after an extensive audition process. Zada has discussed how his experiences on "We Were Liars" and "East of Eden" contributed to his preparation for "Sunrise on the Reaping."

Zada has received recognition for his work, including being named Breakthrough Actor of the Year by GQ Australia magazine and earning nominations at the AACTA Audience Choice Awards for Favourite Australian Actor and Rabanne Breakthrough Artist. The "We Were Liars" series has been renewed for a second season, with Zada set to return. Through his roles in streaming series and feature films, Zada has established a presence in the entertainment industry, particularly in young adult drama and literary adaptations.