Bill

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)