The Best Imitations of Regional English Accents by Non-English Actors

It is no secret that many non-English actors have become adept at mimicking various regional accents of the English language. This article will explore some of the most convincing imitations, focusing on those from American, Canadian, and Irish actors, as well as covering the definitive examples from English actors themselves.

Definitive Examples from English Actors

One of the most accurate representations of a regional English accent is Dick Van Dyke's performance in Mary Poppins. Watching how he perfectly captured the essence of the Cockney accent has left an indelible impression, and other actors, including Michael Caine, Joe Brown, Chas Dave, and Danny Dyer, have sought his advice on elocution.

Distinction from American Actors

When it comes to American actors, Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of an English accent in The X Files is noteworthy. Her performance as a character with a Home Counties accent in an episode was so convincing that it temporarily confused even the actor himself, Christopher Walken. Anderson's advantage might lie in her background, as she lived in London for several years as a child.

Non-English Actors with Convincing Regional Accents

Non-English actors from British regions have also excelled in bringing authenticity to their roles. Robert Carlyle, from Scotland, has played a wide range of English accents in films and TV series such as From the 51st State, The Full Monty, 28 Days Later, and Yesterday. Another Scottish actor, James McAvoy, who hails from Glasgow, has proven his skill with regional accents in series like Shameless and films such as X-Men and Starter for Ten.

Welsh Actor: Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen brings a convincing North East England accent to his portrayal of Brian Clough in The Damned United. His ability to switch smoothly between accents mirrors his upbringing in a part of Wales less than 15 miles from the English border. While Welsh accents might be slightly different, his dedication to the role cannot be questioned.

Non-British Accents: The Sheen Effect

Cillian Murphy from Ireland takes the top spot among Irish actors for his convincing Birmingham accent in the acclaimed series Peaky Blinders. Unlike some of his co-stars, his accent holds firm, especially in the earlier parts of the series. It's worth noting that Helen McCrory occasionally drifts towards her Scouse accent in the series, which is common among native Londoners and northerners.

Return of the Mockumentary: This is Spinal Tap

A mockumentary film such as This is Spinal Tap showcases the impeccable regional accents brought to life by Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, and Michael McKean. The authenticity of their performances is all the more impressive given that the material was largely unscripted, making them a standard that others must strive to emulate.

Honourable Mentions

Other notable mentions include:

Hugh Jackman plays English characters convincingly, even though his dual-Australian-English heritage doesn't fully inhibit his ability to portray English accents. Mike Myers, while primarily known for his Scottish accent in The Love Witch, can convincingly play English characters. Johnny Depp delivers consistent regional English accents in his roles, though his Jack Sparrow parody has some exaggeration. Other strong contenders but with less convincing regional accents include: Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) and Renee Zellweger (Bridget Jones), whose accents tend to be more generic Home Counties rather than regional.

Conclusion

The actors mentioned here range from those with direct ties to Britain, such as Sheen and McAvoy, to those from further afield who have honed their craft. For non-English actors who sound convincingly American, the choice narrows down to those who can convincingly play English accents, such as Cillian Murphy, Johnny Depp, and the Spinal Tap trio.

From Scottish to Welsh, Irish to English, these actors showcase the incredible range and detail that goes into crafting authentic regional accents, making them stand out in their roles.