Top 30 Actors Who Sound Nothing Like Their Characters

“Superstore” (2015-21)

Mark McKinney’s interpretation of Glenn more than brought the character to life. He’s said that playing Glenn was “suspiciously easy”, and even compared it to putting on an old pair of shoes. It’s a good thing – because McKinney seemed to undergo an almost spiritual transformation whenever he became the Cloud 9 manager. His cartoonish, muppet-like cadence seems so authentic, it’s actually jarring when you hear the actor speak in his natural voice, which is much deeper and silkier than Glenn’s. You’d never know a character like Glenn lives inside him.

“The Office” (2005-13)

Kevin’s voice is one of the most unique parts of his character. His delivery conveys to the audience almost as much about his personality as his lines of dialogue do. As Kevin, Brian Baumgartner adopted a slow, almost childlike delivery with a lower pitch. In real life, however, he has a much more articulate and energetic speaking style. Baumgartner has talked about how people are surprised when they hear his real voice, which is certainly a testament to how much he helped shape his character.

“Magnum, P.I.” (1980-88)

Here’s a man who managed to fool even native Brits. Texan and British accents are rather distinct from each other, so how John Hillerman managed to pull it off is incredibly impressive. He worked for about a year with a voice coach in order to lose his native accent. From there, it’s been said that the performer listened to Laurence Olivier in order to learn to speak in the middle/upper class English accent he adopted for Jonathan Quayle Higgins III on “Magnum, P.I.”. He was so convincing and so beloved as the character that he even took home a Golden Globe for the role.

“The Umbrella Academy” (2019-2024)

No, you’re not the only one who had no idea Robert Sheehan is Irish. His voice work as Klaus in “The Umbrella Academy” is so convincing, it’s fooled pretty much everyone. Sheehan’s native accent is completely absent in Klaus, which is especially praiseworthy with how naturally Sheehan manages to play him. He seems to make his voice floatier, lazier, and more eccentric in order to match the character’s offbeat personality. In real life, however, the actor’s tone has a deeper and sharper quality and, of course, that distinct Irish lilt.

“Togetherness” (2015-16)

This New Zealander is known for disappearing into American roles. We love her in “Two and Half Men” and in “Yellowjackets”. But “Togetherness” is perhaps where her voice work is most impressive. It’s unbelievably subtle, blending seamlessly in with the rest of the U.S. cast. While we’ve witnessed Lynskey execute regional accents skillfully, her character, Michelle Pierson, in “Togetherness” has more of a soft, everyday middle-class American accent. And it’s unreal how Lynskey never seems to slip up. Because of her frequent involvement in American-based projects, Melanie Lynskey is a rare case where almost none of her characters sound like her IRL.

“United States of Tara” (2009-11)

Not only did this Australian actor pull off an American accent, she pulled off different vocal inflections too! As a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder, her character, Tara, has several different alters who come up over the course of the series, each with their own unique personalities and manners of speaking. This can be difficult for actors to pull off in their native accent, never mind one from across seas! Collette manages it all flawlessly. Though we’re familiar with her incredible range from “Hereditary”, “The Sixth Sense”, “Little Miss Sunshine”, and “Knives Out”, it gets to shine all in one place in “United States of Tara”.

“The Good Wife” (2009-16) & “The Good Fight” (2017-22)

With Eli Gold’s high pressure job, it’s no wonder he speaks the way he does. Rarely does he waste words, and he can often be heard cutting people off or delivering his thoughts impatiently. Eli sits slightly higher in Alan Cumming’s register, and the actor always ensures his tone is terse, clipped, and effortlessly American. It’s why it’s so surprising to hear him in interviews, where he lets out his expressive, playful nature. He’s also a Scottishman, which gives his real voice a rich, rolling quality.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003) & “Angel” (1999-2004)

Even British actors on set didn’t clock James Marsters’ true dialect. In order to play Spike, Masters dramatically reshaped his voice to be a rough, Cockney accent with dropped R’s, glottal stops, and elongated vowels. He’s originally from California – and definitely sounds like it, but you’d never know that if you only know him from “Buffy”. More than the accent change, his voice is also noticeably lower in pitch and grittier, which fits Spike perfectly. Marsters would go on to say that doing the accent was stressful because he was constantly worried about slipping – but we think he did phenomenally.

“Succession” (2018-23)

Born in England and having lived in Scotland, Matthew Macfadyen should have had a lot more trouble putting on as good of an American accent as he does. Not only is it completely authentic-sounding, but Macfadyen is also able to code-switch as his character, depending on who Tom is interacting with. With Greg, for instance, he often takes on a mocking or condescending tone. With Shiv – whose actress, Sarah Snook, also does a great American accent – he’s a lot more subdued. Macfayden also employs vocal tics for Tom, like nervous laughter and voice cracks when he’s been caught off guard.

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

There are a number of actors who adjusted their voices in order to play “Game of Thrones” characters but we think Peter Dinklage in particular deserves a lot of acclaim for his voice work. The New Jerseyan managed a remarkably refined and natural-sounding British Received Pronunciation accent. Unlike his faster, more casual speech, Dinklage delivers lines more slowly as Tyrion, often pausing for effect. As a result, his character manages to sound commanding and calculated, without ever overdoing it. It cements Dinklage as the perfect choice for Tyrion.

“Orange Is the New Black” (2013-19)
“Orange Is the New Black”’s Yael Stone brought life to the quirky character of Lorna Morello. The character’s thick, high-pitched Boston accent is iconic, but in real life, Yael Stone’s voice is quite different. She has an Australian accent and a grounded demeanor, with a more serious tone than the character she portrays. Hearing her natural voice goes to show how versatile Stone is as an actress, and makes you appreciate the incredible amount of effort and talent that she put into portraying Lorna.

“The Americans” (2013-18)
Matthew Rhys is a talented Welsh actor, with a portfolio of compelling performances in American television. He gained widespread acclaim for playing Philip Jennings on “The Americans”. The Soviet spy really had to perfect an American accent to blend into the 1980s Washington D.C. suburbs. Not only is Rhys’s accent captivating, but so is his ability to portray the morally complex character. To the dismay of a lot of fans, his voice is nothing like Philip’s. He has a rich and melodic natural Welsh accent, which makes him sound distinctly charming. Philip is often stoic and brooding, but in interviews Rhys appears relaxed and humorous, showcasing just how phenomenal his acting talents are.

“The Wire” (2002-08)
After watching “The Wire”, many people will believe Dominic West, the actor behind Detective Jimmy McNulty, was a Baltimore local. If you’ve ever heard him speak in real life, you’ll know he sounds nothing at all like his character. In reality, he has a charming English accent, with a refined tone that majorly contrasts with McNulty’s manner of speaking. Beyond “The Wire”, West has shown versatility in a variety of roles, such as his portrayal of Prince Charles on “The Crown”. West masterfully embodied Jimmy McNulty, a flawed but captivating protagonist, but his real-life persona is far removed from the gritty world of Baltimore’s crime-riddled streets.

“Killing Eve” (2018-22)
Fans of the hit series “Killing Eve” will quickly become familiar with Jodie Comer’s character Villanelle. She’s a stylish Russian assassin, with ruthless efficiency and playful charm. Comer’s portrayal is chillingly intense, and one of the most memorable characters on television. But, in real life, Jodie Comer has a strong yet soothing Liverpool accent. That’s a big contrast from Villanelle’s Russian brogue and distinctly theatrical tone. Comer’s natural Scouse dialect is warm and friendly, unlike the sinister tones of the ruthless killer. She has an unparalleled ability to switch between accents, which is a testament to her talent.

“The Nanny” (1993-99)
Niles is a witty and sophisticated butler, portrayed by Daniel Davis on the popular ‘90s sitcom “The Nanny”. Niles is famous for his dry humor, sharp wit, and loyalty to the Sheffield family. His one-liners are some of the best in the show, with impeccable timing. Davis brought this character to life in such a way that fans still adore him more than 20 years later. His distinct English accent is also iconic, but he’s really from Arkansas. Beyond “The Nanny”, Davis has had a diverse career, where he effortlessly shifts between characters, and rarely speaks in his laid-back and relatable true voice.

“Schitt’s Creek” (2015-20)
A former wealthy soap star, Moira Rose still has the sensibilities of a one-percenter, despite having lost all her money. Her unusual manner of speaking is noticeably deeper and more prim and proper than Catherine O’Hara’s. This adds to the character’s eccentricities, since it gives the impression that her voice is an affectation, even when she’s trying to appear warm and friendly. O’Hara, on the other hand, comes across as super approachable and down to earth. The fact that she can sell this snobby, upper-class character so well is just proof of her greatness.

““Doctor Who” (1963-89; 2005-) & “Torchwood” (2006-11)
If you’ve only seen American interviews with Barrowman, you might be wondering why he’s on this list. His best known character, Captain Jack Harkness, might be a product of British television, but he sounds decidedly American, and so does Barrowman – most of the time. Although he was born in Scotland, he moved to the States when he was only eight years old, and his typical accent is an unremarkable Midwestern one. As a result, however, when he finds himself among his fellow Scots, he reverts to his native Scottish dialect, and the difference is stark. This is a phenomenon referred to as being bidialectal, which is when someone who grew up around two different accents can switch between them depending on which one they hear, and it’s very cool.

“The Wire” (2002-08)
Dominic West isn’t the only Brit pretending to be a Baltimorean on “The Wife”. By now, Idris Elba is famous enough that most people probably know he sounds nothing like his character Stringer Bell in real life. But when “The Wire” first hit airwaves, Elba wasn’t such a big name, and many fans had no idea that his native dialect is quite different from the ruthless Baltimore crime boss’s. Elba actually grew up in an inner borough of London, and his natural English accent has been said to be almost close to Cockney. Of course, his Baltimore accent is no less commanding.

“Family Matters” (1989-97)
“Family Matters” featured the unforgettable character Steve Urkel, portrayed by the legendary Jaleel White. White became a household name for this role, known for his suspenders, nerdy glasses, and his iconic catchphrase. Urkel was a clumsy but lovable character, who became a cultural icon. In reality, White sounds completely different from the character who made him famous. Urkel has a high-pitched and exaggerated voice, with quirky mannerisms and hilarious delivery. White’s natural voice is much deeper, and sounds significantly more mature. This contrast is striking, and can easily shock fans. This makes you appreciate Urkel even more, as it showcases just how much talent Jaleel White brought to the table.

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-21)
Rosa Diaz is the quintessential no-nonsense, hard-nosed detective. Many of her colleagues are intimidated by her, and she has a somewhat deep, serious voice to fit her personality. Stephanie Beatriz’s natural pitch, on the other hand, is much more high-to-moderate. But diehard fans might have noticed that Rosa’s voice evolved over the course of the series. In season one, it was only slightly deeper than Beatriz’s ordinary speaking voice. In the later seasons, her pitch dropped considerably, to the point that by the show’s end, Beatriz and her character sound like completely different people.

“Ghosts” (2021-)
Samantha Arondekar is a cheerful young woman, despite being haunted by quirky spirits on the popular comedy series “Ghosts”. Actress Rose McIver does a masterful job at making Sam warm, relatable, and hilarious, with a light American accent. In fact, McIver is from New Zealand, and has a fairly deep tone compared to Sam’s upbeat and bubbly personality. McIver has refined this accent across a variety of American roles, most notably starring as the undead Liv Moore on “iZombie”. No matter how dark the subject matter, her versatile voice always brightens things up.

“Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001)
Lucy Lawless is synonymous with Xena, the heroic lead on the beloved fantasy action series “Xena: Warrior Princess”. Her commanding presence captured the hearts of fans globally, making her an icon. Lawless played the role with remarkable strength, resilience, and a rather arbitrary American accent. In reality, the actress hails from New Zealand, and has a much softer and relaxed voice than the tough, bold warrior princess. Lawless’s real-life personality is far removed from the mythological epic battles that Xena is known for, bringing further attention to her stunning range as an actress.

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
Many people assume that the Chilean-born actor naturally speaks with a Spanish accent. It’s not an absurd idea, considering that he sometimes uses one. But Pascal actually grew up in California and Texas, and his native accent is pretty standard American. Oberyn Martell was the first Dornish character to appear on “Game of Thrones,” so Pascal played an important role in determining what the people of the fictional Dorne would sound like going forward. Since he grew up in a family of Spanish speakers, it makes sense that this accent is the one that comes easily to him.

“Friends” (1994-2004)
Oh. My. Gawd. If you know “Friends,” then you know Janice, Chandler’s (mostly) ex-girlfriend whose surprise reappearances eventually became a running joke. Janice’s most distinctive feature is her voice – loud, nasally, and extremely New York. It would probably be pretty grating to listen to in real life. But her voice – along with her famous catch phrase – made her into one of the most beloved recurring characters on the series. Although Wheeler drew inspiration for Janice from the New Yorkers she grew up around, her real voice couldn’t be more different. It’s almost jarring to hear it coming out of that familiar face.

“Stranger Things” (2016-)
Eleven from “Stranger Things” is a young girl with peculiar psychokinetic powers and a hidden past. She’s one of the show’s central characters, and was superbly portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown. Her performance is powerful, and the character is known for speaking in a soft, childlike American accent. Brown, on the other hand, naturally has a strong, confident, and expressive English dialect. Granted, it has thinned from her growing up in the States. Beyond “Stranger Things”, Brown has taken on many other roles with a great variety of accents and voices. Brown’s true voice and personality are a strong reminder of how dynamic her acting truly is.

“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19)
Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz’s high pitch and usually sweet intonation seem to fit with Rauch’s diminutive stature. That’s one reason it’s always surprising and hilarious when she suddenly belts out a line like Howard’s mother. In fact, the voice and the character have become so intertwined, that fans sometimes don’t recognize the actress when she’s speaking in her natural tone. It turns out that Rauch is a bit of a vocal chameleon. She’s done voice work for a number of animated shows and films and even brought Harley Quinn to life alongside the incomparable Kevin Conroy.

“Peaky Blinders” (2013-22)
“Peaky Blinders” focuses on the exploits of Thomas Shelby, leader of the Shelby crime family in 1920s Birmingham. Shelby is a cunning and ruthless character, with a gritty, working-class Brummie accent. In actuality, Murphy is from Ireland, and possesses a soft, melodic speaking voice with a soothing and charming affect. This is a stark contrast to Shelby’s harsh voice, which has become as iconic as Murphy’s performance. Birmingham’s is considered one of the most difficult English accents to pull off, but Murphy makes it look as effortless as every other accent he has adopted in his distinguished career.

“House” (2004-12)
Laurie became fairly well-known on the British comedy scene as part of his two-man act with Stephen Fry in the ‘80s. But many Americans were first introduced to him as the brilliant yet caustic Dr. Gregory House. He might be humble about his talent, but Laurie pulls off an American accent so flawlessly that lots of fans were shocked to discover he’s actually English. House’s voice is almost gravelly, while Laurie is a bit more soft-spoken with a polished and proper British dialect. It’s almost hard to believe that both voices come from the same man.

“The Walking Dead” (2011-22)
If you’d told us in 2009 that Mark from “Love Actually” would totally nail the role of a Kentucky law man in a gory zombie apocalypse show, we probably wouldn’t have believed you. And yet, that’s exactly what happened. To portray Rick Grimes, Lincoln takes on an American accent with a light but noticeable twang, completely unlike his usual posh English speech. Rick’s voice also gets progressively more gruff over the course of the series, reflecting the trauma and violence he’s lived through. Lincoln disappears so completely into the part, it’s easy to forget what he really sounds like.

“Will & Grace” (1998-2006; 2017-20)
Her name might not have been in the title, but Karen stole this show so many times, maybe it should have been. Thanks to Mullally’s over-the-top performance and that impossibly squeaky voice, some of the funniest and most memorable moments come from when she’s on screen. Of course, her real voice has a much more reasonable tone. Mullally admits that her risky acting choices haven’t always paid off in the past. Playing Karen with that absurdly high pitch was certainly taking a chance, but in the end, it’s one of the things that made the character downright iconic.










Which actor’s real voice were you shocked to hear for the first time? Let us know in the comments.