Glenda Jackson Queen Elizabeth I Actor Ronald Hines William Cecil (Lord Burghley) Actor Robert Hardy Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester) Actor Stephen Murray Walsingham Actor John Shrapnel Earl of Sussex Actor Angela Thorne Lettice Knollys, Lady Leicester Actor Robin Ellis Robert Devereaux (Earl of Essex) Actor Peter Jeffrey King Philip II of Spain Actor Rachel Kempson Kat Ashley Actor Vivian Pickles Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots Actor Peter Howell Lord Howard Actor Roderick Graham Director, Producer Christopher Sarson Executive Producer