central casting

American  

noun

Movies.

1. an agency, studio department, etc., responsible for hiring actors, especially bit players or extras.

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Etymology

Origin of central casting

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Ms. Spanberger, a mother of three and former CIA officer, is a candidate from central casting for appealing to suburban swing votes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

If you’ve ever wondered why everyone on your social feeds now looks like they also have stepped directly out of central casting or off a billboard, there’s much more at play than judicial filtering.

From Slate • Sep. 21, 2024

Those visiting Mr. Kemp in the field would find an archaeologist out of central casting: tall and sturdy, with a big bushy beard and a perpetual deep tan.

From New York Times • May 29, 2024

But now comes the blowtorch-wielding Bugs Bunny — or at least Coach Beard, or rather special counsel Jack Smith, straight out of central casting.

From Salon • Jun. 15, 2023

Zero combined the shows into a central casting office, and every Saturday night put on a super colossal by the Cabanatuan Mighty Art Players.

From Blood Brothers A Medic's Sketch Book by Rohlfing, Sam