Mathew Baynton as William 'Bill' Shakespeare / Lord Burghley / English Messenger / Customs Official

Simon Farnaby as Earl of Croydon / Juan Domingo / Sausage / Dmitri Alexandrovitch / Fur Seller

Martha Howe-Douglas as Anne Hathaway / Molly / Spanish Courtier / Body Collector

Jim Howick as Christopher Marlowe / Gabriel Montoya / Cynical Jester / Palace Doorman / Mysterious Man / Even Grubbier Thief / Party Planner

Laurence Rickard as Sir Francis Walsingham / Lope Lopez / Stand-Up Jester / Chatty Guard / Slightly Late Courtier / Ian / Hanging Criminal / Chicken Drumstick

Ben Willbond as King Phillip II of Spain / Earl of Southampton / Grubby Thief / Alexander Dimitrievitch / Head of Guards

Helen McCrory as Queen Elizabeth I

Damian Lewis as Sir Richard Hawkins

Justin Edwards as Sir Francis Drake

Rufus Jones as Sir Walter Raleigh

John Henry Falle as Miguel

Jamie Demetriou as Sergio

Richard Atwill as Sevi

George Hewer as Spanish Servant

Tom Meeten as Spanish Servant

Stephen Greif as Spanish Advisor

Gareth Tunley as Guard

Richard Glover as Catholic Contact

Andy Gillies as Boris

Sam Exley as Spanish Courtier

Samantha Hindman as Quill and Rapier Landlady

Jared Morgan as Protestant Bishop

Susy Kane as Lady in Waiting

Clare Thomson as Lady in Waiting

Olesja Sidorovich as Lady in Waiting

Joey Ellis as Mortal Coil Bandmate

Will Rastall as Mortal Coil Bandmate

David Crow as Ramon

Tom Cox as Mortal Coil Bandmate

Grant Crookes as Courtier (uncredited)

Paul Cavendish as Courtier (uncredited)

Kevin Hudson as Tavern Keeper (uncredited)