I thought it would be fun to cast the main characters. You can use actors, models, neighbors...  I will be adding a cast list over the next day or two.

We are also starting early but the holiday weekend just seemed to be the right time to start. 

You can just copy this list, below. Save your places! 

Lady Julia Grey

Nicholas Brisbane

Aquinas

Earl March

Aunt Hermia

Lady Portia

Sir Simon

Morag

Theophilus Monk

Valerius

The Ghoul (Aunt Ursula)

Fleur

Magda

If there is anyone else you would like to add go ahead,  I might be adding to it as we go but I think I have the major players.

I've been thinking about this and really having a hard time.  I thought about Orlando Bloom for Brisbane but I don't think he's "dark" enough.

Lady Julia Grey

Nicholas Brisbane

Aquinas

Earl March

Aunt Hermia

Lady Portia

Sir Simon

Morag

Theophilus Monk

Valerius

The Ghoul (Aunt Ursula)

Fleur

Magda

Here we go! Such fun to put this together ... and many, many thanks to my DD who was great help! Some of my cast members will need some age adjustments in make-up; and we may need to do some hair coloring - we seem predominantly weighted to brunettes in this cast list. One notable exception, of course, is Donald Sutherland. I want hair like his when I grow up!

One other note, for several of these, we had alternate selections, but in the end, it seemed only right to go with my 1st choice and not caveat with suitable subs. 

Lady Julia Grey: Rachel Weisz

Nicholas Brisbane: Clive Owen

Aquinas: Jack Davenport

Earl March: Donald Sutherland

Aunt Hermia:  Maggie Smith

Lady Portia: Idina Menzel

Theophilus Monk: Gerard Butler

Lord Bellmont: Guy Pearce

Valerius: Ian Somerhalder

The Ghoul (Aunt Ursula): Helena Bonner Carter  

Aunt Cressida: Judi Dench

Fleur: Portia de Rossi   

Magda: Natalie Dormer

Kelly (with help from Jennifer & input from Linda)

Lady Julia Grey

Nicholas Brisbane

Aquinas

Earl March

Aunt Hermia

Lady Portia

Sir Simon

Morag

Theophilus Monk

Valerius

The Ghoul (Aunt Ursula)

Fleur

Magda 

I won't do this since I don't keep up with the current stars/actors. Everybody that I'd probably suggest is most likely dead and gone - except for......wait for it......wait for it.....SAM ELLIOTT!!!!!!!

Jeanne you can cast whom ever you want, you can do a sliver screen legends cast that woud be fun!  Even Disney characters,

I'm wondering how Deb will be able to cast Sean Bean into every male role ... but if Letty is letting us live in fantasy world, she may be able to pull it off!

Kelly

You can just copy this list, below. Save your places! 

Lady Julia Grey

Nicholas Brisbane - Antonio Banderas! (this may be as far as I get - yum)

Aquinas - David McCallum  (so far, this is how I picture him. Maybe I need to read further?)

Earl March - Hugh Laurie

Aunt Hermia - Angela Lansbury

Lady Portia

Sir Simon

Morag

Theophilus Monk -

Valerius

The Ghoul (Aunt Ursula)- Glenn Close

Fleur

Magda

Jeanne!

Hugh Laurie for the Earl & Glenn Close for Aunt Ursula are great choices! 

All the choices are great.  I will be listing mine this weekend. I am doing several variations and so far I am having the hardest time casting Morag.

That's probably as far as I'll get with my casting - unless I get a real brainstorm for another character.  I finished the book and I'm sticking with "Ducky" in the role of Aquinas. That's just how I pictured him to look when I was reading so....

I chose Banderas for Brisbane because he's still young enough, very handsome and "dark"!

Go here to see my picks, the ones who are not named are models and I couldn't find their names.

http://pinterest.com/indiapenwick/cast-it-list-pbs/

Interesting choices all around from everybody. It's funny how we each picture the characters in these books. Letty - your choice for Brisbane reminds a lot of Antonio.

Here is my old Hollywood cast list.  This was a bit easier.  http://pinterest.com/indiapenwick/cast-it-old-hollywood/

Love it, Letty! 

I'm wondering how Deb will be able to cast Sean Bean into every male role ... but if Letty is letting us live in fantasy world, she may be able to pull it off!

LOL -- yes, I'm quite happy in my fantasy world, thank you very much!

Very impressed with y'alls' casting -- especially love Letty's old Hollywood.

A work in progress - reserving the right to make changes as I read further!  

Lady Julia Grey - Anne Hathaway

Nicholas Brisbane -  Robert Downey Jr.

Aquinas - Stanley Tucci

Earl March - Harrison Ford

Aunt Hermia - Meryl Streep

Lady Portia - Drew Barrymore

Sir Simon - Daniel Ratcliffe

Morag - Emma Watson

Theophilus Monk - Alan Rickman

Valerius - Andrew Garfield

The Ghoul (Aunt Ursula) - Maggie Smith

Fleur

Magda - Helena Bonham Carter

Love your cast, Donna! 

Robert Downey, Jr. was on our list for Brisbane, but I couldn't get past Clive (a personal favorite of mine). Harrison Ford (Earl March), Anne Hathaway (Julia) & Drew Barrymore (Portia) are great choices! And Stanley Tucci for Aquinas is positively inspired!

Kelly

(Wish I knew who some of these actors are.)  But then again, that would mean going to the movies or watching television - instead of reading!!!

Kelly, thanks.  I was worried that Robert Downey was a little too old, but he looks young to these old eyes.  Also, he suffers well. 

Jeanne, you'd probably know them to see them if you don't recognize some of the names.   

I guess I should have linked the names to pics like Kelly did but I don't think I know how to do that.

I'm no good at this, but I love seeing everyone's ideas!  What fun!

Here is Donna's cast list, http://pinterest.com/indiapenwick/cast-it-donna-s-list/

Stanley Tucci inspired to be sure.

Letty, you are amazing!  Thanks!