{"id":249543,"date":"2025-11-21T08:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T21:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/?p=249543"},"modified":"2025-11-21T07:58:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T20:58:08","slug":"who-is-joseph-zada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/who-is-joseph-zada\/","title":{"rendered":"Joseph Zada is “so ridiculously nervous\u201d to play Haymitch Abernathy in the new ‘Hunger Games’"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s not every day that an Australian actor gets catapulted from relative obscurity to the glitz of Hollywood. We saw it happen with Margot Robbie<\/a>, who went from a Neighbours<\/em> regular to The Wolf of Wall Street<\/em> seemingly overnight. Then there was Jacob Elordi<\/a>, who left Brisbane for Hollywood with his role as Nate on Euphoria<\/em>, and never looked back. Now, it seems like history is repeating itself, with Australian actor Joseph Zada named as the lead in the hotly-anticipated latest instalment of the Hunger Games<\/em> franchise: Sunrise On The Reaping<\/em>.<\/p>\n

So, who is the actor we’re about to see everywhere? Everything we know about Zada, below.<\/p>\n

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Who is Joseph Zada?<\/h3>\n

While you might not be familiar with his name yet, you’re certainly about to be, with Zada landing the role of young Haymitch in Sunrise On The Reaping<\/em><\/a>. The character was first brought to life by Woody Harrelson in the original Hunger Games books but with this latest instalment, we’ll see a whole new side to him. In the forthcoming film, Zada will play 16-year-old District 12 resident Haymitch, who\u2019s name is reaped in the Hunger Games. But these games feature a twist:\u00a0twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.<\/p>\n

As for Zada, the 20-year-old hails from Sydney, and already has a few film and television credits to his name. Most notably, he starred in the Prime Video series, We Were Liars<\/em>, which is adapted from E. Lockhart\u2018s YA novel by the same name. Prior to this, he had a role in Stan’s Invisible Boys<\/em>, which debuted in February 2025, and appeared in the Australian series Total Control<\/em>, and the 2019 film, Bilched<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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What do we know about his role in Sunrise On The Reaping<\/em>?<\/h3>\n

Without giving too much away to those who haven’t yet read the book, we know the role of young Haymitch will ask a lot from Zada. But it seems he’s more than up for the task, apparently beating out hundreds of other actors for the part.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen scripts. I can\u2019t say anything,\u201d Zada said in an interview\u00a0during the press day for\u00a0We Were Liars<\/em>. \u201cI\u2019ve read the book twice already. I\u2019m a very, very, very big fan of everything to do with it and the whole cast and everyone involved.\u201d Zada added: \u201cI\u2019m so ridiculously nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman said, \u201cAfter auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, [Zada and co-star Whitney Peak] stood out\u2014not just for their talent, but for the emotional truth they brought to these iconic roles. Haymitch has always been a fan favourite, and his origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. His relationship with Lenore Dove is deeply woven into the emotional history of Panem.\u00a0 We can\u2019t wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.\u201d<\/p>\n

Producer Nina Jacobson shared a similar sentiment, saying, \u201cDeb Zane and Dylan Jury oversaw an exhaustive (and exhausting!) search to find a young actor with the skill and imagination to embody young Haymitch. Jo prepared like crazy and stole our hearts. Then Whitney took our breath away as Lenore Dove. When we put the two of them together, it was one of those magical casting moments when you know your search has led you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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When will the film be released?<\/h3>\n

Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping<\/em> is set to arrive in theatres on 20 November 2026.<\/p>\n

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