Mathew Baynton

Character: William 'Bill' Shakespeare / Lord Burghley / English Messenger / Customs Official

Simon Farnaby

Character: Earl of Croydon / Juan Domingo / Sausage / Dmitri Alexandrovitch / Fur Seller

Martha Howe-Douglas

Character: Anne Hathaway / Molly / Spanish Courtier / Body Collector

Jim Howick

Character: Christopher Marlowe / Gabriel Montoya / Cynical Jester / Palace Doorman / Mysterious Man / Even Grubbier Thief / Party Planner

Laurence Rickard

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

Ben Willbond

Character: King Phillip II of Spain / Earl of Southampton / Grubby Thief / Alexander Dimitrievitch / Head of Guards

Helen McCrory

Character: Queen Elizabeth I

Damian Lewis

Character: Sir Richard Hawkins

Justin Edwards

Character: Sir Francis Drake

Rufus Jones

Character: Sir Walter Raleigh

John Henry Falle

Character: Miguel

Jamie Demetriou

Character: Sergio

Richard Atwill

Character: Sevi

George Hewer

Character: Spanish Servant

Tom Meeten

Character: Spanish Servant

Stephen Greif

Character: Spanish Advisor

Gareth Tunley

Character: Guard

Richard Glover

Character: Catholic Contact

Andy Gillies

Character: Boris

Sam Exley

Character: Spanish Courtier

Samantha Hindman

Character: Quill and Rapier Landlady

Jared Morgan

Character: Protestant Bishop

Susy Kane

Character: Lady in Waiting

Clare Thomson

Character: Lady in Waiting

Olesja Sidorovich

Character: Lady in Waiting

Joey Ellis

Character: Mortal Coil Bandmate

Will Rastall

Character: Mortal Coil Bandmate

David Crow

Character: Ramon

Tom Cox

Character: Mortal Coil Bandmate

Grant Crookes

Character: Courtier (uncredited)

Paul Cavendish

Character: Courtier (uncredited)

Kevin Hudson

Character: Tavern Keeper (uncredited)