ensemble vs cast of characters

ensemble and cast of characters both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
ensemble	Yes	No	No	No
cast of characters	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, cast of characters is a hypernym of ensemble; that is, cast of characters is a word with a broader meaning than ensemble:

Other hypernyms of ensemble include cast, dramatis personae.

ensemble (noun)	cast of characters (noun)
a coordinated outfit (set of clothing)	the actors in a play
the chorus of a ballet company
a group of musicians playing or singing together
an assemblage of parts or details (as in a work of art) considered as forming a whole
a cast other than the principals