England, My England is a 1995 British historical film directed by Tony Palmer and starring Michael Ball, Simon Callow, Lucy Speed and Robert Stephens. It depicts the life of the composer Henry Purcell, seen through the eyes of a playwright in the 1960s who is trying to write a play about him. It was written by John Osborne and Charles Wood. Cast Simon Callow ... Charles II Michael Ball ... Henry Purcell Rebecca Front ... Mary II Lucy Speed ... Nell Gwyn Letitia Dean ... Lady Castlemaine Nina Young ... Frances Purcell John Shrapnel ... Samuel Pepys Robert Stephens ... John Dryden Terence Rigby ... Captain Henry Cooke Bill Kenwright ... Bill Murray Melvin ... Earl of Shaftesbury Corin Redgrave ... William of Orange John Fortune ... Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon Guy Henry ... James II Peter Woodthorpe ... Kiffen Edward Michie ... Young Harry Tom Shrapnel ... Young Pelham Antonia de Sancha ... Louise Constantine Gregory ... Colonel Wharton Rebecca Tremain ... Catherine of Bragança Vernon Dobtcheff ... Dr. Spratt Tim Newton ... Harry Purcell Snr Patricia Quinn ... Elizabeth Purcell David Thomas ... John Gostling James Saxon ... Vyner Michael John Wade ...Baron of Clifford and Chudleigh Brook Williams ... Priest Leslie Ashton ... Bishop David Spinx ... Smith References External links 1995 films British historical drama films British biographical drama films 1990s biographical drama films 1990s historical drama films Films directed by Tony Palmer Films set in the 17th century Films set in the 1960s Films set in England Films about classical music and musicians Films about composers 1995 drama films Cultural depictions of Charles II of England Cultural depictions of Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland Cultural depictions of Nell Gwyn Cultural depictions of Catherine of Braganza 1990s English-language films 1990s British films Cultural depictions of James II of England