Best accents in TV and film!

[JuniorMint]

After reading the "terrible accents in TV and film" thread, it got me thinking about the best ones!

I'll start with Idris Elba as Stringer Bell in The Wire. Didn't even realise he was British when I first watched it.

[LurkingHusband]

Gary Oldman and Damien Lewis spring to mind.

When the BBC showed "The Wire", I caught a R4 interview with Dominic West. He said British actors were popular in the US as they were (a) unknown and (b) cheap. He also said the beauty of America, is your accent can be a bit off, but most Americans just assume you're from somewhere else - in America.

I was impressed by Ben Afflecks accent (if not acting ) in Shakespeare in Love.

Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes was good too.

[JuniorMint]

Oh yes Damien Lewis was good in Homeland.

[Katedotness1963]

Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors

[LurkingHusband]

Damien Lewis first came to notice (US wise) in "Band of Brothers" where his accent was (according to Wiki) "flawless".

[LurkingHusband]

Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors

possibly the worst film ever made ?

However, just as good in Shakespeare in Love (see Ben Affleck).

[wigglesrock]

Ben Schnetzers accent in Pride was very good, I thought as was Daniel Day Lewis in the Boxer. Damien Lewis's was fantastic in Band of Brothers.

[helenahandbag]

I already mentioned him in the other thread but Kevin McKidd as Owen in Grey's Anatomy. I didn't even realise that he was the same actor from Trainspotting! His American accent is great.

Hugh Laurie in House too.

[ShesAStar]

Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma

[DownAtFraggleRock]

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones is v good

[LurkingHusband]

Wow, how could I forget Hugh Laurie (my DBs USian girlfriend refused to believe he was English) ! Currently appearing in a brilliant role in "Veep" - again you'd never know he was English.

[squoosh]

Meryl.

[squoosh]

I don't like Gwyneth Paltrow's English accents. She goes far too posh to be believable. Same with Renee Z as Bridget Jones.

[WeShouldOpenABar]

wait until you notice Kevin McKidd in the largest underwear section in Ireland ( Fr. Ted) it'll blow your mind!

Hugh Laurie is amazing , Americans think he's American and have ridiculed his unbelievable English accent, which is adorable

[SenecaFalls]

Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennett in 1995 Pride and Prejudice). A lot of people don't know she's American.

[helenahandbag]

WeShouldOpenABar

Trust me, I'm not likely to miss Kevin McKidd in anything

I'm going to be his next wife if his marriage doesn't work out

I do love that episode though, it's a classic!

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth.

[SenecaFalls]

Alan Cumming in The Good Wife

[helenahandbag]

SenecaFalls

Alan Cumming's accent was very, very touch and go in the first season or two that he featured in. He has obviously had a lot of practice though as his accent in the latest season (which I really need to finish watching...) has been spot-on.

[SenecaFalls]

I agree helena, but it's very good now. Intentionally or not, somehow he has managed to blend East Coast with a touch of Chicago, which is exactly how I think Eli should sound.

[helenahandbag]

SenecaFalls yup, his look and accent are just perfect for the part. He's really funny too, his timing is very good!

[LurkingHusband]

Oh, and like him or hate him (luckily he has a good SOH) John Barrowman can switch accents seamlessly.

[squoosh]

Hate him and his accent switching.

[purplemunkey]

I was surprised that Scarlett and Gunnar from Nashville are Australian and British respectively. I'm no expert on a Nashville accent though!

[SenecaFalls]

Eli is my favorite thing about The Good Wife.

[RiverTam]

Brad Dourif, Wormtongue in LOTR. He kept in accent the whole time (English) and when he finally spoke in his actual American drawl the cast mocked his crappy American accent!