The Evolution of Accents in Hollywood: From Placeholders to Global Sensibility
In today's Hollywood, the accent has become a crucial element in casting, with the wrong vowel potentially costing an actor the role. Florence Pugh effortlessly transitions from a Derby accent to a Brooklyn one, Paul Mescal transforms Maynooth into Malibu, and Benedict Cumberbatch sheds his Oxbridge vowels for a Midtown monotone. These changes are no coincidence; they are strategic market decisions. Global audiences now expect voices to align with geographical locations.
However, this shift didn't happen overnight. In the studio era, accents were more symbolic than literal, representing character types rather than specific regions. Hollywood operated under an unspoken 'accent code': English accents signified authority or villainy, as seen in the Bond series' Eton-accented nemeses. American accents, on the other hand, conveyed authenticity, with John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, and Sally Field earning trust by sounding ordinary and 'real'. The Mid-Atlantic accent, a hybrid voice, was associated with glamour, embodied by Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and Grace Kelly.
But this system had a hidden bias. Americans were favored, while others were penalized. Meryl Streep's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher was celebrated as a transformative performance, while Renée Zellweger's success in 'Bridget Jones' was marvelled at. British and Australian actors, however, were expected to play American, with Hugh Laurie's House drawl being a prime example. Some accent mistakes became folklore, like Dick Van Dyke's cockney accent in 'Mary Poppins', which is fondly mocked. Kevin Costner's Robin Hood accent and Anne Hathaway's Yorkshire accent in 'One Day' also made it to the 'worst accents' lists.
The rise of Netflix and its global audience has significantly impacted accent expectations. Shows from various countries, such as 'Squid Game', 'Money Heist', and 'Borgen', gained popularity due to their authentic local accents. Audiences now appreciate the nuances of different languages and dialects, making accents a selling point rather than a barrier. British and Australian actors playing American roles must now pass a global 'sniff test', ensuring their accents are convincing.
The accent has become Hollywood's new 'six-pack', but it's harder to fake. While stars can enhance their physical appearance, their voices remain unique. AI can dub accents, but audiences can spot the fake. The moment a machine takes over an accent, the performance loses its authenticity. In a streaming era, where dialogue is replayed and subtitled, the accent remains one of the few areas where Hollywood still demands the real thing.
