• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Gillian Anderson explains why she regularly switches between an American and British accent off-screen

Home> Celebrity> News

Published 15:07 9 Apr 2024 GMT+1

Gillian Anderson explains why she regularly switches between an American and British accent off-screen

The Sex Education star hails from Chicago, Illinois

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Scott Lawrence/Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Topics: Gillian Anderson, Film and TV, Celebrity

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Gillian Anderson's accent has become a huge topic of conversation of late.

The actor is best known for starring in hit series like Sex Education, The Fall and The X Files - and, depending what you've seen her in, you'll either think she's British or American as she so easily slips into either accent.

But it turns out she's kind of both.

Born in Chicago, US, in 1968, she moved to London, UK, in 2002 and has since split her time between both countries.

With her having resided in the UK for over two decades, Anderson has picked up a British accent - but she still has her American one too, depending on who she's talking to.

Advert

Previously explaining why she dips in and out of both accents, the 55-year-old explained to Scott Lawrence in an interview available on his YouTube channel: "It goes back and forth because I grew up in both places, so it depends who I’m talking to."

The Crown star continued: "Sometimes it’s conscious because I know someone will be thrown by it so I’ll consciously do it, but the majority of time... if I’m at a dinner party and I’m sat between one of each on either side I literally can’t help it."

Actor Gillian Anderson was born in Chicago. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Actor Gillian Anderson was born in Chicago. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

This has been noticed by some fans in recent weeks as Anderson has been doing press interviews for her new Netflix drama, Scoop.

Advert

The film is about Prince Andrew's infamous Newsnight interview in 2019, with Anderson starring as the journalist who conducted the talk, Emily Maitlis.

She's been doing interviews with both British and American media outlets in the run to up to Scoop's release on April 5, and her ranging accent has left some fans floored.

Anderson plays Emily Maitlis in Scoop. (Netflix)
Anderson plays Emily Maitlis in Scoop. (Netflix)

"The way Gillian Anderson’s accent just changes depending on where she is she’s insane," one person penned on X in recent days.

Advert

"Gillian Anderson is such an enigma I no longer confidently know which is her real accent," said another.

"Gillian Anderson's code switching is cool lol when she's amongst Brits she speaks with a British accent," continued a third. "When she's amongst American's she speaks with an American accent."

Someone else quipped noting the star's interchangeable accent: "I can’t explain it but every time I hear Gillian Anderson’s real accent I feel cheated on."

Film fans have been discussing Anderson's accent online. (X)
Film fans have been discussing Anderson's accent online. (X)

Advert

Another actor who is known for doing this is Millie Bobby Brown.

Brown was born to British parents, but moved to Florida at the age of eight.

She's since starred in a host of TV shows and films doing both American and British accents.

With this in mind, Brown often switches between accents - something which she's been called out for by fans.

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • Mike Marsland/WireImage
    7 hours ago

    Katy Perry caught kissing Justin Trudeau in NSFW pictures on yacht and leaves fans shocked

    The newly obtained images have further fueled romance rumors

    Celebrity
  • Mike Coppola/WireImage
    8 hours ago

    Tom Cruise’s co-star labels him a 'man-child' while detailing shocking alleged onset behaviour

    Rebecca Ferguson described her time shooting Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise as both 'thrilling' and frustrating'

    Celebrity
  • Jason Kempin/Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Michael J Fox makes heartbreaking admission amid Parkinson's diagnosis

    The actor opened up about his toughest Parkinson’s challenge yet

    Celebrity
  • Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Win McNamee/Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    Erika Kirk shares handwritten note from husband Charlie with one wish she has about him

    She has shared an intimate love letter given to her by the late conservative campaigner before his death

    Celebrity
  • Pamela Anderson praised for wearing no makeup as she shows off ‘beautiful’ new look
  • Director behind Keira Knightley's new Netflix cruise thriller explains why it was his ‘worst nightmare’ to film
  • Drew Barrymore follows Pamela Anderson by removing makeup and hair extensions on camera
  • Pamela Anderson finally addresses 'PR stunts' following accusation Liam Neeson relationship is 'fake'