Meet the Cast

William Wilberforce
played by Ioan Gruffudd

Barbara Spooner
played by Romola Garai

Olaudah Equiano
played by Youssou N'Dour

John Newton
played by Albert Finney

Pitt the Younger
played by Benedict Cumberbatch

Lord Fox
played by Michael Gambon

Thomas Clarkson
played by Rufus Sewell

Lord Tarleton
played by Ciaran Hinds

Duke of Clarence
played by Toby Jones

Duke of Clarence played by Toby Jones

Meet Duke of Clarence

The Duke of Clarence was born William Henry, the third son of King George III. He started his naval career at the age of 13. He eventually became a captain in his early twenties in the West Indies and was later named the Duke of Clarence in 1789. He supported slavery because it was extremely profitable, and because he genuinely believed that British slaves were treated well. In the film, while playing cards with Wilberforce, the Duke of Clarence requests that his African coach driver be a substitute as a form of payment. William Henry ascended to the British throne, becoming King in 1830.

About Toby Jones

Toby Jones is a British actor based in London best known for his critically acclaimed performance as Truman Capote in Douglas McGrath's 2006 film Infamous, He trained at the Ecole Internationale du theatre in Paris under Jacques Lecoq. He has extensive experience on stage including the National Theatre, most recently with the international theatre company Complicite in Simon McBurney's celebrated production of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. Jones has written several shows including Wanted Man ('a domestic epic' set in a garden shed) and Missing Reel (the true story of his deletion from both the film and place Notting Hill). These shows were developed at the National theatre Studio where Toby has directed, acted and taught for several years.

In 2001, Toby starred with Hamish McColl and Sean Foley in the comedy hit The Play What I Wrote directed by Kenneth Branagh. The show was hugely successful breaking the record for advance sales for a West End play, and was awarded the Olivier Award® for Best Comedy, and Jone was awarded the Olivier Award® for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The show ran for a year before transferring to Broadway in 2003 where it was nominated for a Tony Award. Jones played Arthur in the show which chronicled the shifting relationship between a double act. Every night the show featured a special guest star who Arthur had to imitate with little success. Over 50 different celebrities eventually performed in the show including: Ralph Fiennes, Sting, Ewan Macgregor, Bob Geldof, Kevin Kline, Nathan Lane, John McEnroe, Glenn Close and Holly Hunter. Some easier to imitate than others.

Other credits include Mrs Henderson Presents, Ladies in Lavender, Finding Neverland, Ever After, and the voice of Dobby in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Jones upcoming projects include A Harlots Progress, about the painter William Hogarth and his work, where Jones takes on the role of Hogarth and The Painted Veil, with Naomi Watts and Edward Norton for director John Curran.

Jones also plays Robert Cecil in the new HBO/Channel 4 production Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons.