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

Samantha Hindman

Quill and Rapier Landlady

Jared Morgan

Protestant Bishop

Clare Thomson

Lady in Waiting

David Crow

Ramon

Grant Crookes

Courtier (uncredited)