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

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

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

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

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

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

Helen McCrory
Queen Elizabeth I

Damian Lewis
Sir Richard Hawkins

Justin Edwards
Sir Francis Drake

Rufus Jones
Sir Walter Raleigh

Jamie Demetriou
Sergio

Tom Meeten
Spanish Servant

Stephen Greif
Spanish Advisor

Gareth Tunley
Guard

Jared Morgan
Protestant Bishop

Susy Kane
Lady in Waiting

Olesja Sidorovich
Lady in Waiting

Will Rastall
Mortal Coil Bandmate

David Crow
Ramon

Tom Cox
Mortal Coil Bandmate

Grant Crookes
Courtier (uncredited)

Kevin Hudson
Tavern Keeper (uncredited)