Taking the lead from Republican in looking (8)

I believe the answer is:

starring

'taking the lead' is the definition.
(in a starring role)

'republican in looking' is the wordplay.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'looking' becomes 'staring' (staring is a kind of looking).
'r' put into 'staring' is 'STARRING'.

'from' is the link.

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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