Claim: Judi Dench played Queen Elizabeth I in 1998.

For the theatre adaptation , see Shakespeare in Love -LRB- play -RRB- .   Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 American romantic period comedy-drama film directed by John Madden , written by Marc Norman and playwright Tom Stoppard . The film depicts an imaginary love affair involving Viola de Lesseps -LRB- Gwyneth Paltrow -RRB- and playwright William Shakespeare -LRB- Joseph Fiennes -RRB- while he was writing Romeo and Juliet . Several characters are based on historical figures , and many of the characters , lines , and plot devices allude to Shakespeare 's plays .   Shakespeare in Love won seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actress -LRB- Gwyneth Paltrow -RRB- , and Best Supporting Actress -LRB- Judi Dench -RRB- .