Random top tens: American actors who can do proper English accents

Published on Friday 15 August 2008 11:34

1 GWYNETH PALTROW Reigning champion of cut-glass English, Paltrow has rocked the RP in such films as Sliding Doors, Emma and Possession. As swan-necked noblewoman Viola in Shakespeare In Love (above) she even won an Oscar … but couldn't manage a stiff upper lip during her acceptance speech.

2 JAMES MARSTERS

When originating the role of Buffy the Vampire Slayer baddie Spike, California native Marsters didn't just steal Billy Idol's hair, sneer and leather jacket. He also mastered a pukka Brit accent that wouldn't sound out of place in The Queen Vic.

3 NATALIE PORTMAN

After dabbling with magisterial English as buttoned-up Queen Amidala in The Phantom Menace, Portman (born in Israel but raised in the US) went for broke as cor-blimey-guvn'r Londoner Evie in dystopic misfire V For Vendetta. Blimey!

4 JOHNNY DEPP

After some wayward efforts in From Hell and The Libertine, dreamboat Depp (below) finally nailed a convincing Cockney accent for Sweeney Todd. Just don't ask where Willy Wonka's supposed to be from.

5 RENE ZELLWEGER

Considering the flack she got for daring to accept the role of beloved heffalump Bridget Jones, Texan gal Zellweger knocked it out of the park.

6 DAVID ANDERS

After five years of playing the evil Sark in rollicking spy show Alias, Anders – who was born in Oregon – must have been looking forward to shelving his impeccable Brit-baddie accent. Then he got cast in Heroes – as an Englishman pretending to be a samurai. Ah well.

7 ANGELINA JOLIE

The Tomb Raider movies are clearly for kids. But anchoring all the CGI spectacle is Jolie – knowing eyebrow arched – as Lara Croft (right), enunciating as if to the manor born.

8 SETH MACFARLANE

Stewie Griffin may be the youngest character in animated sitcom Family Guy, but he's also the most diabolical, a pompous lah-di-dah anti-Christ trapped in a baby's body. As Stewie, show creator MacFarlane's performance hits just the right note of dripping condescension.

9 ANNE HATHAWAY

Watch out, Gwynnie. Doe-eyed all-American girl Anne Hathaway recently played Austen in fanciful romance Becoming Jane. At least the accent seemed plausible … listen without prejudice.

10 JOHN HILLER-MAN

As Higgins in Magnum PI, Texan John Hillerman was utterly convincing with his take on a well-spoken former British Army sergeant major – a man routinely exasperated by Tom Selleck's louche investigator.