Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," before it's even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love -- and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare's comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Joseph Fiennes
as Will Shakespeare
Gwyneth Paltrow
as Viola De Lesseps
Geoffrey Rush
as Philip Henslowe
Tom Wilkinson
as Hugh Fennyman
Judi Dench
as Queen Elizabeth
Imelda Staunton
as Nurse
Colin Firth
as Lord Wessex
Ben Affleck
as Ned Alleyn
Simon Callow
as Tilney
Steven Beard
as Makepeace
Jim Carter
as Ralph Bashford
Rupert Everett
as Christopher Marlowe
