Hanna Schygulla as Effi Briest

Wolfgang Schenck as Baron Geert von Instetten

Ulli Lommel as Major Crampas

Lilo Pempeit as Frau Briest

Herbert Steinmetz as Herr Briest

Ursula Strätz as Roswitha

Irm Hermann as Johanna

Karlheinz Böhm as Wullersdorf

Karl Scheydt as Kruse

Barbara Lass as Köchin

Rudolf Lenz as Geheimrat Rummschüttel

Andrea Schober as Annie

Eva Mattes as Hulda

Theo Tecklenburg as Pastor Niemeyer

An Dorthe Braker as Frau Pasche

Peter Gauhe as Vetter Dagobert

Barbara Valentin as Marietta Tripelli

Hark Bohm as Pharmacist Gieshübler (uncredited)

Rainer Werner Fassbinder as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)