miscast

American  

[mis-kast, -kahst] / mɪsˈkæst, -ˈkɑst /

verb (used with object)

miscast, miscasting

1. to assign an unsuitable role to (an actor).

   Tom was miscast as Romeo.

2. to allot (a role) to an unsuitable actor.

3. to select unsuitable actors for (a play, motion picture, or the like).

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miscast British  

/ ˌmɪsˈkɑːst /

verb

1. to cast badly

2. (often passive)

   1. to cast (a role or the roles) in (a play, film, etc) inappropriately

      Falstaff was certainly miscast

   2. to assign an inappropriate role to

      he was miscast as Othello

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Etymology

Origin of miscast

1925–30; mis- ¹ + cast (in sense “to select or assign actors”)

Example Sentences

The Dodgers lost, the last domino in a cascade triggered by a front office that miscast its humans as widgets in a search for even the tiniest of edges.

From Los Angeles Times

Dialogue tip: When your romantic twosome is this miscast, don’t underline the issue by having one of them say, “Make me believe it.”

From Los Angeles Times

I think Jimmy Stewart is miscast in “Vertigo,” and I think Hitchcock felt that as well, that he was too old for the part.

From Salon

He’s a fine actor, he’s just badly miscast.

From Los Angeles Times

Additional Bobs on the ballot likely would have caused confusion and miscast votes.

From Seattle Times