Shakespeare in Love
1998 film by John Madden · Released December 11, 1998
Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 romantic comedy period film directed by John Madden, and written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, and Judi Dench. The film depicts a fictional love affair involving playwright William Shakespeare (Fiennes) and Viola de Lesseps (Paltrow) during the writing of Romeo and Juliet. Several characters are based on historical figures, and many of the characters, lines, and plot devices allude to Shakespeare's plays.
Cast ages when filming began (March 2, 1998)
- Joseph Fiennes, as William Shakespeare: 27
- Gwyneth Paltrow, as Viola de Lesseps: 25
- Geoffrey Rush, as Philip Henslowe: 46
- Colin Firth, as Lord Wessex: 37
- Judi Dench, as Queen Elizabeth I: 63
- Tom Wilkinson, as Hugh Fennyman: 50
- Simon Callow, as Edmund Tilney: 48
- Rupert Everett, as Christopher "Kit" Marlowe: 38
- Imelda Staunton, as Nurse: 42
- Mark Williams, as Wabash: 38
- Jim Carter, as Ralph Bashford: 49
- Martin Clunes, as Richard Burbage: 36
- Antony Sher, as Dr. Moth: 48
- Daniel Brocklebank, as Sam Gosse: 18
- Patrick Barlow, as Will Kempe: 50
- John Inman, as Lady Capulet in play: 62
- Nicholas Le Prevost, as Sir Robert de Lesseps: 50