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

Lord Tarleton played by Ciaran Hinds

Meet Lord Tarleton

Lord Tarleton was a British military leader who fought for the England during the American Revolution. Tarleton was raised in Liverpool, England, where his father was mayor. Tarleton sailed to America in 1776 with Lord Cornwalis, commander of the British forces in the colonies. Tarleton took part in the battle for New York City and the attack on Fort Moultrie in Charleston, South Carolina. Tarleton continued to fight until the British surrender at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. He then returned to England and was elected to Parliament from Liverpool. Tarleton was the representative of shipping interests and led the reaction against Wilberforce and the antislavery movement.

About Ciaran Hinds

Belfast born actor Ciaran Hinds is always in high demand, appearing recently in Steven Spielberg's drama Munich, and Michael Mann's Miami Vice. In 2004 he was directed by Michael Apted in the role of Julius Caesar in the epic HBO mini-series Rome.

Earlier film credits include Sam Mendes' Road to Perdition, Nigel Cole's comedy Calendar Girls and The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Joel Schumaker.

In addition, Ciaran Hinds has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Glasgow Citizens Theatre and regularly worked with Peter Brooke and his company.

Since finishing work on Amazing Grace he has starred in Noah Baumbach's Untitled Project, alongside Nicole Kidman and Jack Black, A Tiger's Tale, directed by John Borman, The Nativity Story directed by Catherine Hardwicke and David Mackenzie's Hallam Foe.