Cast: Johnny Depp

Directors: Laurence Dunmore

Writer: Stephen Jeffreys (screenplay) and Stephen Jeffreys (play)

Release: November 25, 2005

In need of Rochester’s writing skill, King Charles II (Malkovich) summons the Earl (Depp) back to London, retracting his earlier banishment. As in life,
Rochester is shown carrying on with his friends, the Merry Gang, including George Etherege (Hollander) and Charles Sackville (Vegas). On his way back to
the court, Rochester comes across a thief, Alcock (Coyle), and hires him as his gentleman on the spot. For one of his first social Swift Code Capitol National Bank engagements in London,
he takes in a play featuring Elizabeth Barry (Morton), who is booed off the stage and fired by the company. Rochester is taken with Barry and bets Etherege
that can make her a renowned actress in a year’s time. As when Rochester met Barry in reality, he immediately begins to tutor her and they fall in love.

Meanwhile, Charles asks Rochester to write a great work about him, to bolster his legacy as king. Barry delivers a brilliant performance at her next play
and Etherege pays off his debt to Rochester. The king pays Barry to spy on Rochester to keep track of his progress. Billy Downs (Friend) joins the Merry Gang,
and becomes a close friend of Rochester’s. Charles, in need of money from France, asks Rochester to write an extravagant play in honor of the French Ambassador’s
visit, hoping it will impress the Ambassador to lend his support. Instead, Rochester writes A Satyr on Charles II, which involves nude actors, phallic imagery, the
distribution of ornate dildos, and a scathing criticism of the King, played by Rochester himself. Outraged, Charles interrupts the play and Rochester flees.
Rochester continues to slide into debauchery, creating a skirmish outside a house of prostitution that leads to Downs’ death.