Ian Holm

as F.R. Leavis

Leo McKern

as Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch

Sara Kestelman

as Queenie Leavis

Alan Cumming

as Tulloch

Rufus Sewell

as Mike Costain

John Lloyd Fillingham

as Young F.R. Leavis

Helga Brindle

as Young Queenie Leavis

Miranda Forbes

as Miss Greve

Alice Douglas

as Girton Girl

Jack Gold

Director