Robert Southwell

Young English Jesuit priest and poet, deeply devoted to his faith. Intelligent, sensitive, and eloquent. Navigates a life of secrecy and danger with quiet resilience and moral conviction. Kind, humble, and endlessly charismatic.

AGNES. RP dialect. 40s. Robert's nursemaid. Loyal to the Southwell family. Steadfast in her faith despite Catholic persecution. Maternal, warm, and encouraging.

KATHERINE BELLAMY. RP dialect. 60s. Catholic woman who houses Robert in his final hideaway. Kind, hospitable.

ANNE. RP dialect. 15-30s (18+ to play younger). The Countess of Arundel. Robert’s childhood friend and trusted ally in restoring Catholicism in England. Only woman among Robert’s circle. Witty and playful, yet bold and daring. Courageous and sharp.

BRIDGIT. RP dialect. 30-40s. Robert’s mother. Devout with a gentle nature. Somewhat naive to the Queen’s fury.

The Bellamy's imprisoned daughter. Betrays Robert to save her family. Scared, desperate.

FATHER ALLEN. RP dialect. 40s. Leader of the Catholic resistance. Founder of the English College in Douai and Cardinal in Rome. A mentor to Robert. Strategic, astute.

GEORGE COTTON. RP dialect. 40s. Robert's Uncle and John's Father. Lord of Warblington Castle. Opens home to Catholics seeking refuge. Generous.

GIFFORD. RP dialect. 17-20s (18+ to play older). A student at English College at Douai. Turned undercover spy for the Crown.

MATTHEW. RP dialect. 15 (18+ to play older). A persecuted Catholic teen. Anxious.

Runs a Catholic Safe house in the French Countryside. Kind and devout.

JAILOR. RP dialect. 50-60s. Robert's Jailor. Shaken after witnessing Robert's torture.

CLERK. RP dialect. 40s. Clerk at Robert's Trial.

Strong and eager for adventure, though less assured and aware than his cousin Robert. Loyal, emotional.

Shrewd and controlling, a man of immense power as the Queen’s trusted advisor. Vengeful toward Catholics. Serves as her public voice through written decrees and whispers manipulative counsel in her ear.

One of Robert's best friends at school. Fearful, nervous, and wholesome.

PAUL. RP dialect. 17 (18+ to play younger). One of Robert's best friends at school. Hot tempered but loyal to his friends.

CATHOLIC GUARD. RP dialect. 20s. Guards priest of underground Catholic church in London. Desperate for Robert's help.

Ruler of England. Powerful and commanding, yet occasionally vulnerable in private. Acts from fear of losing control. Her judgment heavily shaped by her advisors.

RICHARD. RP dialect. 40-60s. Robert’s father. A Catholic torn between his faith and fear for his standing in England.

JUDGE. RP dialect. 50s. Presides over Robert’s trial. Formal and authoritative.

The Queen’s ruthless priest hunter and chief torturer. Cruel and merciless. Delights in hunting Catholics and inflicting punishment. Wicked to the core.

The Queen’s ever-calculating spymaster. Master of whispers and political intrigue. Cunning, manipulative, and relentless in pursuit of his enemies.

Strong and whip smart. Willing to take risks for her faith.

Young, British boy. Robert's loyal cousins. Silly and curious.

Young British boy, wise beyond his years. Brave, headstrong, and eloquent, even from a young age. Noble with a strong moral compass.