What is 'casting against type'?

What is 'casting against type'?

Paul De Freitas (Casting Director) gives expert video advice on: Have you discovered someone who is now a big star?; How do you cope with a difficult actor?; What happens if the director hates the people who you've cast? and more...

Casting against type is casting an actor very much against how they are as a person, or as in roles that we've seen them play before. And I think it's those parts where actors really, really get to shine and show how good they really are. You know, someone like Helena Bonham Carter always wants to get away from doing those sort of Edwardian "bustle-y" ladies and play something rather modern, and chic, and cutting edge. And when she's done it, she's been incredibly good. And that really is what all actors want to do. They never really want to play themselves, and I don't blame them. They love a challenge and that's very, very great when that happens. It doesn't always happen for them.