Josie Rourke Director Saoirse Ronan Mary Stuart Actor Margot Robbie Queen Elizabeth I Actor Jack Lowden Lord Darnley Actor Joe Alwyn Robert Dudley Actor David Tennant John Knox Actor Guy Pearce Sir William Cecil Actor Gemma Chan Bess of Hardwick Actor Martin Compston Earl of Bothwell Actor Ismael Cruz Cordova Rizzio Actor Brendan Coyle Earl of Lennox Actor Ian Hart Lord Maitland Actor Adrian Lester Lord Randolph Actor James McArdle Earl of Moray Actor Maria Dragus Mary Fleming Actor Eileen O'Higgins Mary Beaton Actor Liah O'Prey Mary Livingston Actor Andrew Rothney Prince James Actor Beau Willimon Screenwriter Tim Bevan Producer Eric Fellner Producer Debra Hayward Producer Amelia Granger Executive Producer Liza Chasin Executive Producer Kate Pakenham Executive Producer John Mathieson Cinematographer Chris Dickens Film Editing Max Richter Original Music James Merifield Production Design Alexandra Byrne Costume Design Alastair Coomer Casting