Aimee Lou Wood Explains Her British Accent Decision For The White Lotus

Actors often spend a lot of time thinking about the accents they use for a role. Sometimes it’s a creative choice, sometimes it’s a practical one, and other times it comes down to what feels most natural. In the new season of The White Lotus, Aimee Lou Wood decided to keep her real British accent rather than adopt an American one like most of her co-stars — and there’s a surprisingly simple reason why.

Wood, who’s originally from Manchester, plays Chelsea, one of the hotel guests in the show’s Thailand setting. During auditions, she tried both an American accent and her own Stockport drawl. However, show creator Mike White made it clear early on that he preferred her genuine voice. “I can do an American accent,” Wood told The Sun. “But Mike just wanted my Manchester one.”

When asked why she might struggle to pull off a convincing American accent, Wood didn’t point to a lack of practice or skill. Instead, she blamed her teeth. “It’s the teeth! No Americans have my teeth. I think that genuinely is one of the things,” she laughed. She shared a story about playing an American character in a Chicago play: afterward, a stranger at a bar told her, “I knew it. I knew it. Your accent was great, but I knew you weren’t American. You just don’t look American.”

Aimee Lou Wood

Wood has insisted elsewhere that she’s perfectly capable of sounding American — she told Elle that her accent work is solid — but White didn’t feel her character Chelsea needed that extra layer of distance from the actor portraying her. “He just didn’t see why she needed to be American and why we needed to add that extra layer of distance between me and her,” Wood said. “So he was like, ‘Let’s just make her from Manchester.’ And I was like, ‘Great.’”

Despite what some headlines have implied, Wood is quick to clarify that it wasn’t a case of failing to nail the accent. “It was so funny because everyone keeps being like, ‘So you couldn’t do the American accent.’ And now I’m like, ‘I need to correct this, guys! I can do an American accent! I swear!’”

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Keeping her natural accent also adds something simple but valuable to the show: authenticity. Chelsea’s straightforward, down‑to‑earth personality comes through more clearly when she speaks as herself rather than putting on another persona. It’s a reminder that sometimes less is more when it comes to character choices.

Elsewhere in the cast, Patrick Schwarzenegger has been fielding questions about whether his role in The White Lotus came from his famous last name. He pushed back at claims of nepotism, pointing out that casting decisions involve a lot more than family connections.

Meanwhile, fans around the world have been inspired by the show’s Thailand setting. Google Trends data shows a spike in searches for Thai language lessons and travel tips since the season premiered.

Accent Authenticity in Acting

Dr. Amy C. M. Harper, a linguist specializing in dialect coaching, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in acting. She notes that actors like Aimee Lou Wood choosing to keep their natural accents can create a more genuine character portrayal. According to Dr. Harper, maintaining one's accent can result in a richer, more relatable performance that resonates with audiences, particularly in a culturally diverse context like 'The White Lotus.'

This approach not only preserves the actor's identity but also invites viewers to connect with a broader range of experiences.

In the end, Aimee Lou Wood’s choice to stick with her own accent highlights an important part of acting that isn’t always talked about: knowing when it serves the story best to be yourself. It’s not about inability; it’s about what works for the character and the show. And in Chelsea’s case, that meant speaking with the accent she’s always had.

Dr. John McWhorter, a linguist at Columbia University, argues that accent adaptation is often driven by social context and audience expectations. He highlights how accents can signify belonging or alienation in entertainment. In Wood's case, retaining her British accent may have served to highlight her character's uniqueness in a predominantly American setting.

This decision underscores the broader social dynamics in acting, where authenticity can enhance storytelling. It’s a reminder for aspiring actors to consider how their backgrounds can inform their performances, creating a more nuanced narrative.

Research-Based Understanding

Ultimately, the choices actors make regarding accents can profoundly influence their performances and audience reception. Experts like Dr. Amy C. M. Harper and Dr. John McWhorter highlight the significance of authenticity in acting, suggesting that retaining a natural accent can foster deeper connections with viewers. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, embracing diverse accents may not only enrich storytelling but also reflect a more inclusive societal narrative. Actors can enhance their craft by understanding their linguistic heritage and its impact on character development.