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Brits portraying Americans vice versa

Posted on 3/7/16 at 7:46 pm
Posted by NWarty
Somewhere in the PNW
Member since Sep 2013
2181 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 7:46 pm
I've always been amazed with this subject.

Now, obviously with the Walking Dead airing last night and Andrew Lincoln, Lauren Cohan and Jesus being Brits. It always amazes me how many of them can nail the American Southern and Midwest accent. The first time I heard Andrew Lincoln speaking in his real voice I was blown away. Same with Lauren Cohan (albeit she grew up here for some time). Sometimes you can tell that's it's a little "off" with Charlie Hunham in Anarchy or Damian Lewis in "Band of Bros". But for the most part, many of them absolutely nail it.

So, how many of our own American actors can nail the British accent, whether classic London, Manchester, regional dialectic, etc?

What a neat job that would be, to be a dialect coach on a set.

Richard Gere should be shot for that abortion by the way
This post was edited on 3/7/16 at 7:50 pm
Posted by mizzoubuckeyeiowa
Member since Nov 2015
35636 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 7:48 pm to
Brits always complain about any American having a go at their accent and accents...they are snooty about it.

Actors say portraying an American accent isn't difficult at all. You are not really adding much, just taking away your own.
Posted by Yunel Escobar
Member since Apr 2010
1025 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 7:53 pm to
There are probably more famous women actresses that are better at the British accents.

Robert Downey Jr is pretty decent though. That guy is talented. From Sherlock Holmes to Tropic Thunder playing an Australian pretending to be a Black Man..

This post was edited on 3/7/16 at 7:58 pm
Posted by SwaggerCopter
H TINE HOL IT DINE
Member since Dec 2012
27232 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 7:58 pm to
My favorite accent story is Michael Fassbender. Dude was born in Germany and learned English with a British accent, then mastering the American accent.

This makes his role in Inglourious Basterds pretty clever by Tarantino.
This post was edited on 3/7/16 at 8:54 pm
Posted by BamaChemE
Midland, TX
Member since Feb 2012
7140 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 8:07 pm to
People not familiar with his work with Stephen Fry were amazed that Hugh Laurie from House was British.
Posted by Thurber
NWLA
Member since Aug 2013
15402 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 8:26 pm to
This topic always makes me think of arrested development
Posted by Breesus
House of the Rising Sun
Member since Jan 2010
66982 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 8:41 pm to
My name's Norm. I'm a pizza delivery driver.
Posted by MikeyFL
Las Vegas, NV
Member since Sep 2010
9613 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 8:53 pm to
I was through a full season of The Wire before I knew that the actor playing Jimmy was British.

Then, during Season two, I learned that Stringer Bell was being played by a guy from London who had Shakespearean experience. Mind blown.

Everytime I see Idris Elba now, I shudder a little at my own ignorance.
Posted by RD Dawg
Atlanta
Member since Sep 2012
27305 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 9:02 pm to
One of the absolute worst attempts at an American accent were those Australian actors who
played in that ESPN movie about Bear Bryant.Either really bad actors or a southern aaccent is
more difficult than a straight up American accent.
Posted by papasmurf1269
Hells Pass
Member since Apr 2005
20917 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 9:04 pm to
Kate Winslet played an american in Titanic. I hadn't seen her in movies begore that and I was surprised to learn that she was actually British.
Posted by Hoodoo Man
Sunshine Pumping most days.
Member since Oct 2011
31637 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 9:07 pm to
Some actors suck at the American accent.

Dude from avatar. Can't even remember his name.
Posted by Yellerhammer5
Member since Oct 2012
10852 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 9:14 pm to
Red leader from Star Wars has a terrible American accent.
Posted by Uncle Stu
#AlbinoLivesMatter
Member since Aug 2004
33660 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 9:31 pm to
what about Strike Back?

British SAS soldier -> American actor from Montana

American soldier -> Australian actor


always found that ironic
Posted by athenslife101
Member since Feb 2013
18609 posts
Posted on 3/7/16 at 10:16 pm to
I have seen some truly awful American accents from the Brits. We just don't see them. I went to a play in London and theirnAmerixan accents were shockingly bad for well paid theater actors
Posted by Pectus
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
67302 posts
Posted on 3/8/16 at 6:15 am to
I remember hearing southern American accent is easy for a Brit to pull off because a lot of inflections are the same.
Posted by GetCocky11
Calgary, AB
Member since Oct 2012
51389 posts
Posted on 3/8/16 at 7:32 am to
Damian Lewis probably suprised me the most when I learned he was British.

Posted by LeonPhelps
Member since May 2008
8185 posts
Posted on 3/8/16 at 7:47 am to
Meryl Streep nailed it in The Iron Lady. She is known for her incredible ability to adopt different accents though.
Posted by genuineLSUtiger
Nashville
Member since Sep 2005
73045 posts
Posted on 3/8/16 at 8:13 am to
quote:

So, how many of our own American actors can nail the British accent, whether classic London, Manchester, regional dialectic, etc?


Keanu Reeves is one of the few who comes close, in my opinion.
Posted by LordSaintly
Member since Dec 2005
38970 posts
Posted on 3/8/16 at 8:47 am to
Jeremy Irons has a terrible American accent.
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