character roles
Actors' assigned identities
Character roles are the types or functions that characters serve in a narrative.
In fiction, film, and drama, these include protagonist, antagonist, love interest, mentor, sidekick, and comic relief.
The term also applies to acting: She's been typecast in character roles—meaning distinctive, often eccentric supporting parts rather than leading roles.
In this theatrical sense, a character role emphasizes personality quirks over conventional attractiveness.
- comic reliefHumor easing dramatic tension
- protagonistStory's central figure
- heroOne admired for courage
- romantic leadStory's primary lover
- foilDefeat a plan
narrator · moral compass · villain · betrayer · catalyst · trickster · confidant · good cop bad cop · sidekick · everyman · love interest · damsel in distress · rival · mentor · archetype · sage · tragic hero · backstory
- character typesprotagonist, hero, antagonist, villain, heroes
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
- actorsactor, actors, actresses, film actor, actress
- operaopera, aria, arias, soprano, tenor
- Asian theaterkabuki, noh, Beijing opera, bunraku, Peking opera
- TV representationgay characters, queer visibility, media portrayal, diverse casting, stereotypes
character rolesactors
Those playing roles
performers · players · ensemble · acting company · thespians