A rule-bound head butler's world of manners and decorum in the household he maintains is tested by the arrival of a housekeeper who falls in love with him in post-WWI Britain. The possibility of romance and his master's cultivation of ties with the Nazi cause challenge his carefully maintained veneer of servitude.
Anthony Hopkins James Stevens
Emma Thompson Miss Kenton
James Fox Lord Darlington
Christopher Reeve Jack Lewis
Hugh Grant Reginald Cardinal
Peter Vaughan William Stevens
Ben Chaplin Charlie, Head Footman
Paula Jacobs Mrs. Mortimer, the cook
Patrick Godfrey Spencer
Michael Lonsdale Dupont D'Ivry
Rupert Vansittart Sir Geoffrey Wren
Tim Pigott-Smith Thomas Benn
Lena Headey Lizzie
Paul Copley Harry Smith
Peter Cellier Sir Leonard Bax
Brigitte Kahn Baroness
John Savident Doctor Meredith
Pip Torrens Doctor Richard Carlisle
Peter Eyre Lord Halifax
Wolf Kahler German ambassador
Abigail Hopkins Housemaid
John Haycraft Auctioneer
Caroline Hunt Landlady
Steve Dibben George, Second Footman
Terence Bayler Trimmer
Peter Halliday Canon Tufnell
Jeffry Wickham Viscount Bigge
Tony Aitken Postmaster
Christopher Brown Irma
Ian Redford Publican
Jo Kendall Publican's wife
Steven Beard Andrews
Miles Richardson Craddock (uncredited)