hoofdcast

Hoofdcast is a Dutch-language term used to describe the main cast of a film, television series, stage production, or radio program. It refers to the principal actors who portray the central characters around whom the story centers. The concept focuses on the performers with the most significant screen or stage time and narrative impact.

The word combines hoofd, meaning head or principal, with cast, borrowed from English, and is commonly found in Dutch media, credits, press materials, and promotional descriptions. While not a formal technical term, it is widely understood in industry and journalism as shorthand for the core group of performers.

In practice, the hoofdcast can include one or several lead actors and other key performers who drive the main plotlines. The composition can vary across seasons or episodes, especially in long-running series where new principal characters may join or leave. The hoofdcast is typically distinguished from the supporting cast, guest stars, and minor characters by its greater screen time and narrative importance.

Use of the term often appears in cast lists, synopses, and marketing materials, where it helps audiences identify the central figures of a production. While the exact lineup of the hoofdcast can change, the concept remains a core way to describe the ensemble around which a work’s story revolves.