
"Love is the only inspiration."
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.
Director
John Madden
Budget
$25,000,000
Revenue
$289,317,794
Status
Released

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