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According To A Historian, Posh Accents Are Ruining Period Dramas – Not Just Austen

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Original Story by BuzzFeed
May 31, 2025
According To A Historian, Posh Accents Are Ruining Period Dramas – Not Just Austen

Context:

Period dramas are often criticized for using posh accents, which do not accurately reflect the diverse speech patterns of past eras. Historian Katie Kennedy highlights that this trend is prevalent due to the dominance of middle and upper-class actors in the industry, leading to a skewed portrayal of historical figures. The use of Received Pronunciation (RP) contributes to the misconception that historical figures were uniformly polished and polite. This approach not only strips away historical authenticity but also perpetuates the notion that only those who spoke in a 'proper' manner were significant. Kennedy argues for a more varied representation of accents to better reflect historical realities and challenge class-based stereotypes in storytelling.

Dive Deeper:

  • Jane Tranter discusses how actors tend to adopt posh accents for period dramas, creating a barrier between the audience and historical authenticity, as not everyone in the past spoke in such a manner.

  • Katie Kennedy emphasizes the influence of class on the portrayal of history on screen, with the creative industry being dominated by those from middle and upper-class backgrounds.

  • The Sutton Trust found that individuals from working-class backgrounds are significantly underrepresented in creative industries, affecting diversity in storytelling.

  • There is a misconception that historical figures were uniformly polished, equating this with the classic Received Pronunciation accent, which distorts historical narratives.

  • The 2022 film 'Emily' inaccurately portrays the Brontës with middle-class accents, despite historical evidence suggesting they had Irish or mixed Irish/Yorkshire accents.

  • Period dramas often use working-class accents for comic relief or troubled characters, reinforcing stereotypes and diminishing historical accuracy.

  • Kennedy argues that using varied accents in historical adaptations would provide a more authentic and inclusive representation, challenging the notion that only those who spoke 'properly' were significant.

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