Emily Watson as Bess McNeill

Stellan Skarsgård as Jan Nyman

Katrin Cartlidge as Dodo McNeill

Jean-Marc Barr as Terry

Adrian Rawlins as Dr. Richardson

Jonathan Hackett as Priest

Sandra Voe as Mother

Udo Kier as Sadistic Sailor

Mikkel Gaup as Pits

Roef Ragas as Pim

Robert Robertson as Chairman

Phil McCall as Grandfather

Desmond Reilly as An Elder

Sarah Gudgeon as Sybilla

Finlay Welsh as Coroner

David Gallacher as Glasgow Doctor

Ray Jeffries as Man on Bus

Owen Kavanagh as Man at Lighthouse

Bob Docherty as Man on Boat

David Bateson as Young Sailor

Callum Cuthbertson as Radio Operator

Gavin Mitchell as Police Officer 1

Brian Smith as Police Officer 2

Iain Agnew as Praying Man 1

Charles Kearney as Praying Man 2

Steven Leach as Praying Man 3

Dorte Rømer as Nurse

Anthony J. O'Donnell as Boy 1

John Wark as Boy 2

Ronnie McKellaig as Precentor

Peter Bensted as Ugly Man (voice)

Simon Towler Jorfald as Boy in Film (voice)

Klaus Messerschmidt Juhler as Paramedic (uncredited)