Jason Isaacs Discusses the Confusion Behind His ‘White Lotus’ Accent

Social media reactions regarding Jason Isaacs’ portrayal of a North Carolina accent in Season 3 of The White Lotus have been notably intense. While some viewers criticize it as the worst Southern accent they’ve encountered, or suggest it bears an Australian quality, others, myself included, find Isaacs’ interpretation surprisingly accurate.

The narrative surrounding the Ratliff family in this season delves into a rather insular aspect of American culture—specifically college basketball in the Southern region. This unique focus may leave many viewers, particularly those unfamiliar with this part of the United States, as puzzled as the hotel staff grappling with the family’s dynamics. Personally, I find myself intrigued by the “House Divided” theme characteristic of this Tobacco Road lineage. It’s understandable, however, that those outside the Southern sphere might struggle to grasp the nuances of our conversations.

Having spent fifteen years in North Carolina, where I still have close ties, I can relate deeply to this cultural discourse. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (often abbreviated as UNC), much like the characters played by Parker Posey and Sarah Catherine Hook in the show. When I mention my Southern roots, people often express shock at my lack of a Southern accent, which feels oddly condescending. Are they complimenting me for my speech, or subtly accusing me? Either interpretation strikes me as impolite! Thus, I feel compelled to defend the authenticity of fictional Southern characters and their accents; to me, Timothy Ratliff sounds like an everyday dad from North Carolina (or a true Duke fan), y’all.

A Typical Southern Accent, Not Stereotypical

North Carolina’s diverse geography—from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont and the Outer Banks—contributes to a variety of regional accents. This plethora of dialects contrasts sharply with the oversimplified portrayals commonly seen on television. The accent Isaacs adopts deviates markedly from the cliched hillbilly twang or exaggerated Southern drawl often depicted in media. However, the lack of stereotypical embellishment shouldn’t be viewed negatively.

When Southern viewers compare a character’s accent to something akin to Foghorn Leghorn, it usually signals a critique of its unrealistic depiction. While the charming inflection of Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out films may entertain, such accents are rarely encountered in present-day North Carolina.

Finding real-life examples to validate Isaacs’ accent is challenging, as many Southern celebrities tend to downplay or lose their regional accents over time. Clay Aiken, hailing from Durham like the Ratliffs, retains a noticeable accent, yet it doesn’t encapsulate the character that Isaacs embodies.

For a closer comparison, one might observe Michael C. Hall in interviews, as well as local politicians such as former Governor Roy Cooper, Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins, or Bill Cobey, former Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. Their accents might resonate more closely with Tim Ratliff’s sound.

Isaacs Perfects a Bravolebrity Impression

According to Sam Nivola, who portrays Lochlan Ratliff, showrunner Mike White urged the cast to familiarize themselves with Southern Charm. Nivola suggested that Isaacs based his accent and persona on a specific cast member. If I had to speculate, it might be the disgraced South Carolina State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel.

Listen below and judge for yourself whether Isaacs’ portrayal mirrors that of a typical “just some guy” Southern accent:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JGxgKTazM4

Southern Charm: Kathryn Dennis & Thomas Ravenel Have A Heart To Heart (Season 5, Episode 13) | Bravo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JGxgKTazM4)

Nonetheless, I remain puzzled by those who claim Isaacs’ accent has Australian undertones. I personally do not perceive this at all. Perhaps it results from a rare slip into his natural British tone, which could create a confusing vowel effect? It’s quite possible that detractors have unintentionally aligned similarities between these two accents.

Interestingly, there exists a small community on the Outer Banks with a unique dialect known as the “Okracoke Brogue”, characterized by a blend of old-fashioned sounds that resemble Scottish, Irish, and even a hint of Southern English or Australian inflections.

Accents are a fascinating and diverse aspect of culture! Isaacs does not exaggerate a “crazy” accent on The White Lotus; rather, his delivery feels genuinely relatable. If you are a native North Carolinian and feel inclined to critique his accent, you have every right to do so. However, I urge those unfamiliar with our state to remember that just because Isaacs doesn’t conform to preconceived notions of Southern speech doesn’t mean that his portrayal of an affluent father, eager for his sons to attend Duke, lacks veracity. Such characters undeniably exist. Let’s embrace this diversity and, in the spirit of all things Southern, “Go Heels!”

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