| INTHELEAD | Having the principal role at the front (2,3,4) |
| LEADINGMAN | Star of the show with the principal role, at some stage (7,3) |
| OBVERSE | The side of a coin or medal having the principal design on it |
| STARRED | Took the principal role (7) |
| BRUTALIST | With "The," drama for which Adrien Brody won Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars last night |
| EMMASTONE | Poor Things star named Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2024 BAFTAs (4,5) |
| START | Begin to take on the hero role at the end (5) |
| ABBESS | Play a leading role at The Abbey overseeing The Three Sisters, among others (6) |
| ELF | Small guy with a big role at the North Pole |
| LEIA | Cameo role at the end of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" |
| ICER | Finishing role at the bakery |
| PITMAN | Valerie ___, fired from her receptionist role at The Mill Health Centre (6) |
| THEBESTMAN | Winner perhaps has a supporting role at the match |
| EDITOR | Important role at "The Jerusalem Post" (6) |
| LOREN | Sophia has another role at the end of autumn (5) |
| TRAGEDIAN | He has a heavy role at reading, possibly (9) |
| TAKEAPART | Severely reprimand one who accepted a role, at some stage (4,5) |
| USHERSHIP | American woman's trendy role at a wedding? (9) |
| SUPERHERO | First-class champion had a major role, at some stage (5,4) |
| PLAYAPART | Is instrumental in getting a role, at some stage (4,1,4) |
