Cast

• Gwyneth Paltrow — Viola De Lesseps
• John Ramm — Makepeace's Neighbour
• Mark Williams — Wabash
• Tom Wilkinson — Hugh Fennyman
• Joseph Fiennes — Will Shakespeare
• Geoffrey Rush — Philip Henslowe
• Judi Dench — Queen Elizabeth
• Imelda Staunton — Nurse
• Colin Firth — Lord Wessex
• Ben Affleck — Ned Alleyn
• Jim Carter — Ralph Bashford
• Martin Clunes — Richard Burbage
• Tim McMullan — Frees
• Antony Sher — Dr. Moth
• Simon Day — Taxi boatman
• Paul Bigley — Peter
• Simon Callow — Tilney
• Rupert Everett — Christopher Marlowe
• Joe Roberts — John Webster
• Georgie Glen — Lady in Waiting
• Nicholas Boulton — Henry Condell
• Barnaby Kay — Nol
• Jill Baker — Lady De Lesseps
• Nicholas Le Prevost — Sir Robert De Lesseps
• Rebecca Charles — Chambermaid
• Bob Barrett — George Bryan
• Sandra Reinton — Rosaline
• Jason Round — Tavern Actor
• Rupert Farley — Barman
• Adam Barker — First Auditionee
• Harry Gostelow — Second Auditionee
• Gregor Truter — James Hemmings
• Robin Davies — Master Plum
• Hywel Simons — Servant
• Roger Morlidge — James Armitage
• Timothy Kightley — Edward Pope
• Roger Frost — Second Taxi Boatman
• Lucy Speed — Second Whore