The film tells the story of Russian emigree and the only survivor from ship crash Yanko Goorall and servant Amy Foster in the end of 19th century. When Yanko enters a farm sick and hungry after the shipwreck, everyone is afraid of him, except for Amy, who is very kind and helps him. Soon he becomes like a son for Dr. James Kennedy and romance between Yanko and Amy follows.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Rachel WeiszAmy Foster | Amy Foster |
 Vincent PerezYanko | Yanko |
 Ian McKellenDr. James Kennedy | Dr. James Kennedy |
 Kathy BatesMiss Swaffer | Miss Swaffer |
 Joss AcklandMr. Swaffer | Mr. Swaffer |
 Tony HaygarthMr. Smith | Mr. Smith |
 Fiona VictoryMrs. Smith | Mrs. Smith |
 Tom BellIsaac Foster | Isaac Foster |
 Zoë WanamakerMary Foster | Mary Foster |
| WWilliam Scott-MassonMr. Wilcox | Mr. Wilcox |
 Eve MathesonMrs. Wilcox | Mrs. Wilcox |
 Dave HillJack Vincent | Jack Vincent |
 Roger Ashton-GriffithsCanon Van Stone | Canon Van Stone |
 Matthew ScurfieldNot listed | Not listed |
| MMargery WithersNot listed | Not listed |
 Janine DuvitskiNot listed | Not listed |
 Willie RossNot listed | Not listed |
 Janet HenfreyNot listed | Not listed |
| PPaul WhitbyNot listed | Not listed |
| AAngela MorantNot listed | Not listed |
 Sandra HuggettNot listed | Not listed |
 Frédérique FederNot listed | Not listed |