Joseph Fiennes as Will Shakespeare

Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola De Lesseps

Geoffrey Rush as Philip Henslowe

Tom Wilkinson as Hugh Fennyman

Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth

Imelda Staunton as Nurse

Colin Firth as Lord Wessex

Ben Affleck as Ned Alleyn

Simon Callow as Tilney

Steven Beard as Makepeace

Jim Carter as Ralph Bashford

Rupert Everett as Christopher Marlowe

Martin Clunes as Richard Burbage

Tim McMullan as Frees

Joe Roberts as John Webster

Antony Sher as Dr. Moth

Georgie Glen as Lady in Waiting

Nicholas Boulton as Henry Condell

Barnaby Kay as Nol

Mark Williams as Wabash

Jill Baker as Lady De Lesseps

Nicholas Le Prevost as Sir Robert De Lesseps

Rebecca Charles as Chambermaid

Bob Barrett as George Bryan

Simon Day as Taxi boatman

Bridget McConnell as Lady in Waiting

Sandra Reinton as Rosaline

Jason Round as Tavern Actor

Rupert Farley as Barman

Adam Barker as First Auditionee

Harry Gostelow as Second Auditionee

Alan Cody as Third Auditionee

David Curtiz as John Hemmings

Gregor Truter as James Hemmings

Amber Glossop as Scullery Maid

Robin Davies as Master Plum

Hywel Simons as Servant

Roger Morlidge as James Armitage

Daniel Brocklebank as Sam Gosse

Mark Saban as Augustine Phillips

Timothy Kightley as Edward Pope

Roger Frost as Second Taxi Boatman

Rachel Clarke as First Whore

Lucy Speed as Second Whore

John Ramm as Makepeace's Neighbour

Paul Bigley as Peter

Patrick Barlow as Will Kempe

Steven O'Donnell as Lambert

John Inman as Lady Capulet in Play