In crisis, cast actor as one with inflated sense of own importance (12)
I believe the answer is:
narcissistic
'inflated sense of own importance' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, past participle verbs and adjectives can sometimes define each other.
'in crisis cast actor as one' is the wordplay.
'in crisis cast' can be anagrammed to 'NARCISSISTIC'.
However, I am not sure how the anagram is indicated.
'with' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for narcissistic that I've seen before include "Self-regarding" , "Egotistical" , "Self-loving" , "Self-obsessed" , "Crisis in cats (anag.)" .)