Gwyneth Paltrow plays Viola de Lesseps, Joseph Fiennes plays William Shakespeare, and Judi Dench plays Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 romantic comedy-drama ‘Shakespeare in Love‘.
Main cast
- Viola de LessepsGwyneth PaltrowMain
- William ShakespeareJoseph FiennesMain
- Queen Elizabeth IJudi DenchMain
Supporting cast
- Philip HensloweGeoffrey RushSupp
- Lord WessexColin FirthSupp
- Ned AlleynBen AffleckSupp
- Dr. MothAntony SherSupp
- Hugh FennymanTom WilkinsonSupp
- Christopher MarloweRupert EverettSupp
- RosalineSandra ReintonSupp
- NurseImelda StauntonSupp
- Ralph BashfordJim CarterSupp
- John WebsterJoe RobertsSupp
Guest & voice
- LambertSimon CallowGuest
- FreesMark WilliamsGuest
- MakepeacePatrick BarlowGuest
- BurbageMartin ClunesGuest
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About this cast
‘Shakespeare in Love’ (1998) is a romantic comedy-drama that imagines a love affair between a young William Shakespeare and the noblewoman Viola de Lesseps, inspiring his play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. The film stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, and Judi Dench, with a supporting cast including Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, and Ben Affleck.
FAQs
Who plays William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love?
Joseph Fiennes plays William Shakespeare.
Who plays Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love?
Gwyneth Paltrow plays Viola de Lesseps.
Who plays Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love?
Judi Dench plays Queen Elizabeth I.
Is Shakespeare in Love based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional romantic comedy-drama, though it incorporates real historical figures like Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I.
How many Oscars did Shakespeare in Love win?
It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Gwyneth Paltrow, and Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026