starring role

Meaning

A 'starring role' refers to the most important or principal character played by an actor in a movie, play, or television show. It is the main part that drives the story forward. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who has a central, highly important part in a project or event.

Examples

• She just landed her first starring role in a major Hollywood film.

  She just landed her first starring role in a major Hollywood film.

• He played the starring role in the school play last semester.

  He played the starring role in the school play last semester.

• Who is going to take on the starring role in the new sci-fi series?

  Who is going to take on the starring role in the new sci-fi series?

• After years of playing minor characters, she finally got a starring role.

  After years of playing minor characters, she finally got a starring role.

• The manager played a starring role in securing the new business deal.

  The manager played a starring role in securing the new business deal.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He got a star role in the movie.

  ✓ He got a starring role in the movie.

  While 'star' can be a noun, the adjective form 'starring' is the standard collocated term used to describe the main acting part.

• ✗ She played the starring role of the project.

  ✓ She played a leading role in the project.

  'Starring role' is primarily for acting. For business or projects, 'leading role' or 'key role' is more natural, though 'starring role' can be used humorously with the preposition 'in'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After years of auditions, he finally landed a ___ in a Broadway musical.

  💡 The main, most important character in the show.

  Show answer

  starring role

• Although she didn't get the ___ , she was happy with her smaller part.

  💡 The principal acting part.

  Show answer

  starring role