Overview
Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Trailer
Crew
DirectorJohn Madden
WriterMarc Norman, Tom Stoppard
Cast
Joseph Fiennes
Will Shakespeare
Gwyneth Paltrow
Viola De Lesseps
Geoffrey Rush
Philip Henslowe
Tom Wilkinson
Hugh Fennyman
Judi Dench
Queen Elizabeth
Imelda Staunton
Nurse
Colin Firth
Lord Wessex
Ben Affleck
Ned Alleyn
Simon Callow
Tilney
Steven Beard
Makepeace
Jim Carter
Ralph Bashford
Rupert Everett
Christopher Marlowe
Martin Clunes
Richard Burbage
Tim McMullan
Frees
Joe Roberts
John Webster
Antony Sher
Dr. Moth
Georgie Glen
Lady in Waiting
Nicholas Boulton
Henry Condell
Barnaby Kay
Nol
Mark Williams
Wabash
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Keywords
london, englandtheater playqueen elizabeth iplaywrightcross dressingfalse historyfrancis bacon16th centuryactingelizabethan englandromantic
Details
Budget
$25M
Revenue
$289M
TMDb Votes
3,200
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026