Meet Joseph Zada, the Aussie Actor Cast to Lead the Next Hunger Games

Meet Haymitch…
Published April 28, 2025
joseph zada haymitch

Joseph Zada in We Were Liars (Image: Courtesy of Prime Video)

When it was announced that a film adaptation of Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reapingaka the Hunger Games prequel centred on Haymitch Abernathy’s games — was in the works, the question on all fans’ lips was: who will play the blonde-haired winner?

We finally have our answer, with producers announcing the cast will be led by Australian actor, Joseph Zada. 

Zada has some big shoes to fill, as he’s following in the footsteps of three-time Academy Award nominee, Woody Harrelson, who played the character in the OG franchise. 

Despite being a relative newcomer (other names rumoured to be up for the casting included Drew Starkey and Tom Glynn Carney), Zada has a pretty stacked resumé, and stars in Prime Videos’s soon-to-be-released adaptation of We Were Liars. 

If the careers of other leads of the Hunger Games franchise are anything to go by (hello, Tom Blyth), we have no doubt he’s a Hollywood megastar in the making. So, let’s get to know him…

What Has Joseph Zada been In?

The actor recently starred in Australian drama Invisible Boys, a 10 part series available on Stan, based on the novel by Holden Sheppard. Between that, We We Liars and the Hunger Games, a pattern of book-to-screen adaptations is emerging…

He has appeared in a number of other Australian productions including political thriller, Total Control and The Speedway Murders. 

Zada is also set to join Florence Pugh and Mike Faist in Netflix’s East of Eden adaptation.

Something tells us this is only the beginning for this up and comer…

Is Joseph Zada Single?

The Aussie actor is much of a mystery to us.

We know he is approximately 20 years old (he was born in 2005), but otherwise, little details of Zada’s personal life have been shared. While we don’t know if he’s currently dating anyone or not, we’ll be waiting for the press tour for We Were Liars, set to be released in June, for more insight into the up and coming Aussie heartthrob.

Brooke Edwards
Brooke is a freelance writer with a background in communications, fashion and social science. She has had a passion for pop culture, fashion and writing from a young age and is constantly plugged into the world of celebrity, fashion and beauty. When she’s not reading, scrolling through Pinterest or listening to a podcast you can find her at the beach, at a wine bar or rewatching Gossip Girl.
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