Why so many British actors?

[LucilleBluth]

I was just browsing the Golden Globe nominations for 2020 and it occurred to me that every oscar ceremony or big American awards show has lots of British actors nominated. Why is this? Are we really good? Do Americans like Brits? Is it easier to find work there or have your work appreciated?

Just pondering.

There are some really awesome shows now that go across the pond

Both ways!

Yay for Andrew Scott, been championing him for years.

Are we really good?
Yes.

ANDREW SCOTT IS IRISH!!!

And yes I did mean to shout.

I’m sure Scotty would forgive me.

The Golden Globes are run by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association - that is, non-American journalists who cover film. Their choices don’t reflect American tastes actually. You’re getting mixed up with the Oscars.

I’m sure Scotty would forgive me.

Bit weird.

I think around the time Hugh Laurie did House and won s GG was when doors really opened a lot more.

I remember he gave an acceptance speech and the next person up was like

"What do I even say? No one can top the British giving a speech"

I do think British actors are seen as "a class apart" definitely

I also think the US fascination with British Royalty and the aristocracy plays a part as British actors often play these roles

America has the 1% sure but the emphasis is on the Dream and being self made they don't really have Old Money to the same degree being a younger country.

Oh, I know this one! American actors generally do not have any training, and do not continue training after beginning a career. There are rare exceptions for accents or special training like dancing. However, most of them do not get trained and it shows.

Actually I’m sure a lot of famous Irish people are sick and tired of being claimed by British media etc.

It happens all the time.

Sure they arnt sick of it when its british industries giving them a career.

Cant get into Andrew Scott, complete ham.

British actors are generally better trained and have a broader experience of tv/theatre/film. They're usually better at accents and more versatile than their American counterparts.

Some American actors typically play the same character in every tv show or movie they're in (Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are good examples, although Hugh Grant is guilty of this too).

Well the fact we share the same language helps.
There are prob other equivalents. Do the french get a lot of work in french Quebec? The Spanish in South American countries. Probably.

Bottom line is they're cheap

I think it was Dominic West who noted that ....

I wonder if it's that posh, Hugh Grant view of the UK that sells us abroad.

Dominic West is a good example. Two starring roles in two major US TV shows, The Wire and The Affair. Why? Why not an American?

Olivia Coleman's speech at this years Oscars was amazing so maybe like a pp that's a thing.

I think the cheap thing might be a good point.

TV wages there are far higher than here, so an Americans "that's a low pay scale" might be a Brits "that'll do nicely, compared to an ITV gig"

I saw a complaint recently about the new Little Women from an American.

It's an All American classic yet all four sister roles are being played by foreign born actresses, which does seem odd.

Most big cities have one outstanding drama conservatoire but in London alone we have four. Out of London there are quite a number more.

I think they perceive them to be more classy & then that elevates acting in general so it makes the profession more high brow.

Looking at the GG nominations, there are quite a few Aussies as well.

Dominic West is a good example. Two starring roles in two major US TV shows, The Wire and The Affair. Why? Why not an American?

Like he said, he's cheap. Certainly 15 years ago there was a glut of very good UK actors in the US working for waaaaaaaaaaay less than their US counterparts. Accents weren't too much of a problem either. Given the scale of America, most Americans just assume it comes from "somewhere else" in the US.

There are prob other equivalents. Do the french get a lot of work in french Quebec? The Spanish in South American countries

The cast of "Narcos" was quite pan-global . And "Inspector Montalbano" is a great show for "guess where they're from ?" It's a little "Auf Wiedershen" at times.

I think "Les Revenants"/"The Returned" had a wide ranging cast too.

I think it's also the unknown factor. You can get good experienced actors but their faces aren't known in the US.

You also have to look at the types of programmes and films now. The Brits used to do the period dramas and mini series (and still do very well) whilst America had the comedies and hollywood blockbusters.

Now with netflix and amazon etc making their own shows that are broadcast globally, not having to pander to the giant film studios. Casting is becoming much more global too, with the Brits being very much in demand. No more just being cast as the stereotypical posh baddie.

Do you know something - Andrew Scott would be Irish if he didn't get nominated, but as soon as he did, he's a British actor.
Happens with our actors, our sports people and anyone Irish who tends to do well.
I'm delighted that Saoirse Ronan does well as even her name reeks Irishness but even that didn't stop the London Film Critics Circle nominated her in a "British Actor" category.
We don't have to put up with it but the likes of Chris O'Dowd, Dara O'Briain, Graham Norton, Cillian Murphy and Colin Farrell have all been 'taken' as being English but they are not. Even Samuel L Jackson weighed in and said "People in the UK have a big problem claiming people that aren't theirs".

Scotty might not mind but be sure, there are loads of us that do.

Now, as you were.

Even Samuel L Jackson weighed in and said "People in the UK have a big problem claiming people that aren't theirs".

That's rich, coming from a well known Scottish actor.