Film & Television vocabulary · Film Crew and Roles
Supporting role
Meaning in film & television, with examples
/səˌpɔːtɪŋ ˈrəʊl/nounCommon term
In film & television, supporting role means: An important part that is not the lead, often a character who helps, challenges or reflects the main character.
In Turkish: yardımcı rol, yan rol
How it is used
Used for casting and awards: Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, a strong supporting cast. Smaller parts are called minor roles, bit parts or cameos (a short appearance by a famous person).
Example sentences
He won the award for his supporting role as the grandfather.
The supporting roles are cast with well-known theatre actors.
Common collocations
play a supporting role
best supporting actress
supporting cast
small supporting role
Related terms
lead roleThe most important part in a film or series, played by the actor whose character the story mainly follows.
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.
nominationBeing officially chosen as one of the candidates for an award, such as an Oscar, a BAFTA or an Emmy.
