Film & Television vocabulary · Film Crew and Roles
Lead role
Meaning in film & television, with examples
/ˌliːd ˈrəʊl/nounCore term
In film & television, lead role means: The most important part in a film or series, played by the actor whose character the story mainly follows.
In Turkish: başrol
How it is used
Actors play, land or are offered the lead role; the person is the lead or the lead actor, and a film can have two leads. In credits and awards, leading role is common: Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Example sentences
She got the lead role after six rounds of auditions.
It's his first lead role in a feature film.
Common collocations
play the lead role
land the lead role
leading role
lead actor
co-lead
Related terms
supporting roleAn important part that is not the lead, often a character who helps, challenges or reflects the main character.
castAll the actors who play the characters in a film, series or play. As a verb, to cast someone means to choose them for a role.
castingThe process of choosing actors for the roles in a film, series, play or advert.
auditionA short performance in which an actor reads or acts part of a role so that the casting team can decide whether to choose them.
