diff --git a/homeassistant/components/cast/manifest.json b/homeassistant/components/cast/manifest.json
index b8ad1fe67cc..ddb6697d370 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/cast/manifest.json
+++ b/homeassistant/components/cast/manifest.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "name": "Google Cast",
   "config_flow": true,
   "documentation": "https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/cast",
-  "requirements": ["pychromecast==5.0.0"],
+  "requirements": ["pychromecast==5.1.0"],
   "after_dependencies": ["cloud"],
   "zeroconf": ["_googlecast._tcp.local."],
   "codeowners": ["@emontnemery"]
diff --git a/homeassistant/components/cast/media_player.py b/homeassistant/components/cast/media_player.py
index 9b6e78f156a..fd7443d1c26 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/cast/media_player.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/cast/media_player.py
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 """Provide functionality to interact with Cast devices on the network."""
 import asyncio
+import json
 import logging
 from typing import Optional
 
 import pychromecast
 from pychromecast.controllers.homeassistant import HomeAssistantController
 from pychromecast.controllers.multizone import MultizoneManager
+from pychromecast.quick_play import quick_play
 from pychromecast.socket_client import (
     CONNECTION_STATUS_CONNECTED,
     CONNECTION_STATUS_DISCONNECTED,
@@ -477,7 +479,33 @@ class CastDevice(MediaPlayerEntity):
     def play_media(self, media_type, media_id, **kwargs):
         """Play media from a URL."""
         # We do not want this to be forwarded to a group
-        self._chromecast.media_controller.play_media(media_id, media_type)
+        if media_type == CAST_DOMAIN:
+            try:
+                app_data = json.loads(media_id)
+            except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                _LOGGER.error("Invalid JSON in media_content_id")
+                raise
+
+            # Special handling for passed `app_id` parameter. This will only launch
+            # an arbitrary cast app, generally for UX.
+            if "app_id" in app_data:
+                app_id = app_data.pop("app_id")
+                _LOGGER.info("Starting Cast app by ID %s", app_id)
+                self._chromecast.start_app(app_id)
+                if app_data:
+                    _LOGGER.warning(
+                        "Extra keys %s were ignored. Please use app_name to cast media.",
+                        app_data.keys(),
+                    )
+                return
+
+            app_name = app_data.pop("app_name")
+            try:
+                quick_play(self._chromecast, app_name, app_data)
+            except NotImplementedError:
+                _LOGGER.error("App %s not supported", app_name)
+        else:
+            self._chromecast.media_controller.play_media(media_id, media_type)
 
     # ========== Properties ==========
     @property
diff --git a/requirements_all.txt b/requirements_all.txt
index 66807333a11..9f4be8a8c7d 100644
--- a/requirements_all.txt
+++ b/requirements_all.txt
@@ -1245,7 +1245,7 @@ pycfdns==0.0.1
 pychannels==1.0.0
 
 # homeassistant.components.cast
-pychromecast==5.0.0
+pychromecast==5.1.0
 
 # homeassistant.components.cmus
 pycmus==0.1.1
diff --git a/requirements_test_all.txt b/requirements_test_all.txt
index 2e704f2e38e..1cb7ad868cc 100644
--- a/requirements_test_all.txt
+++ b/requirements_test_all.txt
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ pyblackbird==0.5
 pybotvac==0.0.17
 
 # homeassistant.components.cast
-pychromecast==5.0.0
+pychromecast==5.1.0
 
 # homeassistant.components.coolmaster
 pycoolmasternet==0.0.4