be cast in a role

Meaning

This phrase means to be chosen or selected by a director or casting agent to play a specific character in a play, movie, or television show. It is typically used in the passive voice.

Examples

• She was thrilled to be cast in a role that she had dreamed of playing since childhood.

  She was thrilled to be cast in a role that she had dreamed of playing since childhood.

• After three intense auditions, he was finally cast in a role in the new Broadway musical.

  After three intense auditions, he was finally cast in a role in the new Broadway musical.

• It is rare for an unknown actor to be cast in a role this prominent.

  It is rare for an unknown actor to be cast in a role this prominent.

• She was cast in a role that required her to learn a completely new accent.

  She was cast in a role that required her to learn a completely new accent.

• The young actor was cast in a role as the hero's younger brother.

  The young actor was cast in a role as the hero's younger brother.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She was casted in a role for the new drama.

  ✓ She was cast in a role for the new drama.

  The past participle of 'cast' is 'cast', not 'casted'.

• ✗ He was casted into a role by the director.

  ✓ He was cast in a role by the director.

  Use the preposition 'in' (or 'as') rather than 'into', and remember that 'cast' is irregular.

Related Expressions

Practice

• He couldn't believe his luck when he was ___ in the upcoming sci-fi trilogy.

  💡 Passive voice. Think of being selected for a character.

  Show answer

  cast in a role

• To ___ like this, you need to have a strong portfolio and a great agent.

  💡 Use the passive infinitive form.

  Show answer

  be cast in a role