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