Top 30 Actors Who Sound NOTHING Like Their Characters in Real Life

Believe it or not, Victoria Ratliff never actually says, Piiiippppeeeer, noooo, in Season 3 of The White Lotus. It became an in-joke on set, however. That in-joke snowballed into a meme thats impossible to say without using Victorias North Carolina accent. Although Parker Posey spent much of her upbringing in Louisiana and Mississippi, her natural Southern accent isnt as exaggerated. The voice came to Posey as she was reading the scripts, deciding that Victorias accent should be as funny (and snobby) as the dialogue. As over-the-top as Victoria may seem, Posey received a fair deal of praise from actual North Carolinians, telling her the accent is dead on. While maybe not as quotable, Jason Isaacs also traded in his English accent for a Southern one.

Succession (2018-23)

Succession viewers are often surprised when they hear Sarah Snooks Australian accent. Its arguably even more jarring when people learn that Matthew Macfadyen is British and hes also Mr. Darcy. Where Darcy is reserved, Tom Wambsgans wont hesitate to bombard a subordinate with water bottles while having a hissy fit. This makes it even harder for us to believe that Tom and Darcys voices came out of the same mouth. Macfadyen wasnt entirely convinced he could pull off an American accent, saying that he muddled through most scenes. Considering that his performance won him two Primetime Emmys, its safe to say most of the TV Academy bought his transformation from cultured Englishman to a bumbling American whos simultaneously powerful and weak.

Pushing Daisies (2007-09)

This actress is best known for playing Chuck on the all-too-short-lived Pushing Daisies. Friel infused the character with an American girl-next-door attitude. Indeed, Chuck and protagonist Ned used to be neighbors. In reality, Friel and co-star Lee Pace grew up on opposite sides of the pond. Although Friel was born in Rochdale, England, she refused to use her British accent on the Pushing Daisies set. Even when the cameras werent rolling, Friel stayed in character. She only reverted to his natural voice upon receiving a call from her mother, who wasnt a fan of the American accent. The shows English narrator, Jim Dale, assumed Friel was American. It wasnt until hearing her in an interview that Dale realized Friel was a fellow Brit.

When Bella Ramsey was cast in The Last of Us TV series, many were ecstatic while others were skeptical. The young actor had proven to be a powerhouse talent as Lyanna Mormont on Game of Thrones, but could they convincingly play an American like Ellie? The moment Ramsey shows up on screen, we dont just see Ellie. We hear the character as well. Ramsey mastered their American accent by reciting swear words. Fitting, seeing how cussing is like a second language to Ellie, which in turn taught Ramsey how to properly curse. Good thing this is an HBO show. Ramsey got so into character that even after shooting was over, theyd wake up speaking in an American accent. However, Ramsey is determined to stay British.

The Penguin (2024)

The prosthetics have largely dominated the conversation surrounding Colin Farrells transformation into Oswald Cobb. Even if you removed visuals from the equation, youd never guess the Irish actor is behind Ozs voice. While some may debate where Gotham is located, most would agree that a Northeast accent feels appropriate for this gritty portrayal of the Penguin. To find just the right voice, Farrells dialect coach provided him with thousands of recordings. Farrell was drawn to a recording of a 60-something apartment complex manager from the 80s. This particular voice helped him find Oswald with one word standing out: Gefilte fish. Whenever Farrell started to lose the voice, hed say, Gefilte fish, which got him back into character. Penguins love their seafood.

Yellowstone (2018-24)

If you met Kelly Reilly, youd be amazed how far removed she is from Beth Dutton. Not only is Reilly much friendlier, but she isnt from Montana. She isnt even from the States. Reilly hails from Chessington, beginning her acting career in the English theatre. To perfect her Montana accent, Reilly worked with the same dialect coach as Colin Farrell, Jessica Drake. Reilly previously worked with Drake on projects like Flight. When Reilly met her fellow Yellowstone castmates, she addressed them using her American voice. According to co-star Forrie J. Smith, Reilly used her American accent on set for the first week or so. It came as a complete shock to Smith and many others upon learning that Reilly was British.

As Shauna Sadecki, Melanie Lynskey plays an American housewife trying to keep up a normal facade while concealing the skeletons in her closet. Lynskeys biggest secret is that shes actually from New Zealand. We suppose thats not exactly a secret, but even numerous people in the industry are taken aback when they hear Lynskey in her native tongue. In fact, when she auditioned for Up in the Air, Lynskey avoided speaking to director Jason Reitman in her New Zealand accent, knowing he wanted an American for the role. When Lynskey started living in L.A., she learned an assortment of American accents by watching movies. While Yellowjackets has significantly raised Lynskeys profile, people still forget that shes a proud Kiwi.

The Good Wife (2009-16)

If you watch The Traitors, you know that Alan Cumming is Scottish. Yet, those who were introduced to him through The Good Wife franchise cant help but expect Eli Golds voice to emanate from his mouth. Like Rahm Emanuel, who partially inspired the character, Eli is Jewish, from Chicago, and has a political background. Conversely, Cumming is an atheist, from Perthshire, and probably wouldnt work for someone like Peter Florrick. Like Eli, though, Cumming wears many different masks. By the time he joined The Good Wife cast, Cumming was already used to doing accents. He completely escaped into the character, although some pronunciations proved more challenging than others. On one occasion, Cumming recalled having to re-dub the word amateur after multiple failed attempts.

The Mentalist (2008-15)

On this crime drama, Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane, a psychic medium whos truly a fraud. That doesnt mean he hasnt picked up a few skills useful in a police investigation. Just as Jane tricks people into believing hes a psychic, Baker managed to keep up the ruse that he was an American for seven seasons. In reality, Baker is Australian. It wasnt quite a ruse, seeing how Baker closed out episodes saying, stay tuned, in his natural voice. Still, every time we hear Baker go down under, its as if hes living a double life. Baker doesnt have trouble maintaining an American accent except when he gets an Australian director, which can accidentally bring out his real voice.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

James Marsters broke out playing the bleach blonde British vampire Spike. Well, we have three bombshells. 1) Marsters was born and raised in California. 2) His natural hair color is closer to brown. 3) He isnt a vampire. Okay, that last one isnt a shocker, but were still processing that first revelation. When Marsters auditioned for Spike, he floated the idea of using a Southern dialect, having recently done a play with a Louisiana accent. Joss Whedon wanted an English vampire, though, which Marsters was thankfully capable of. Marsters got the London accent down with help from co-star Anthony Stewart Head, a legitimate Brit. After Marsters struggled with one line delivery, Head pulled him aside, insisting that he tutor him.

Orange Is the New Black (2013-19)

Orange Is the New Blacks Yael Stone brought to life the quirky character of Lorna Morello. The characters thick, high-pitched Boston accent is iconic, but in real life, Yael Stones 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 Rhyss 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 Philips. 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 youve ever heard him speak in real life, youll 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 McNultys 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 Baltimores crime-riddled streets.

Killing Eve (2018-22)

Fans of the hit series Killing Eve will quickly become familiar with Jodie Comers character Villanelle. Shes a stylish Russian assassin, with ruthless efficiency and playful charm. Comers 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. Thats a big contrast from Villanelles Russian brogue and distinctly theatrical tone. Comers 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 hes 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.

Schitts 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 OHaras. This adds to the characters eccentricities, since it gives the impression that her voice is an affectation, even when shes trying to appear warm and friendly. OHara, 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 (2005-) / Torchwood (2006-11)

If youve only seen American interviews with Barrowman, you might be wondering why hes 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 its very cool.

The Wire (2002-08)

Dominic West isnt 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 wasnt such a big name, and many fans had no idea that his native dialect is quite different from the ruthless Baltimore crime bosss. 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. Whites 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 Beatrizs natural pitch, on the other hand, is much more high-to-moderate. But diehard fans might have noticed that Rosas voice evolved over the course of the series. In season one, it was only slightly deeper than Beatrizs ordinary speaking voice. In the later seasons, her pitch dropped considerably, to the point that by the shows 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 Sams 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. Lawlesss 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. Its 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, Chandlers (mostly) ex-girlfriend whose surprise reappearances eventually became a running joke. Janices 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 couldnt be more different. Its 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. Shes one of the shows 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. Browns true voice and personality are a strong reminder of how dynamic her acting truly is.

The Big Bang Theory (2007-19)

Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitzs high pitch and usually sweet intonation seem to fit with Rauchs diminutive stature. Thats one reason its always surprising and hilarious when she suddenly belts out a line like Howards mother. In fact, the voice and the character have become so intertwined, that fans sometimes dont recognize the actress when shes speaking in her natural tone. It turns out that Rauch is a bit of a vocal chameleon. Shes 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 Shelbys harsh voice, which has become as iconic as Murphys performance. Birminghams 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 hes actually English. Houses voice is almost gravelly, while Laurie is a bit more soft-spoken with a polished and proper British dialect. Its almost hard to believe that both voices come from the same man.

The Walking Dead (2011-22)

If youd 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 wouldnt have believed you. And yet, thats 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. Ricks voice also gets progressively more gruff over the course of the series, reflecting the trauma and violence hes lived through. Lincoln disappears so completely into the part, its 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 Mullallys over-the-top performance and that impossibly squeaky voice, some of the funniest and most memorable moments come from when shes on screen. Of course, her real voice has a much more reasonable tone. Mullally admits that her risky acting choices havent always paid off in the past. Playing Karen with that absurdly high pitch was certainly taking a chance, but in the end, its one of the things that made the character downright iconic.

Which actor impressed you the most with their range? Let us know in the comments.