Poldark fans struggle to understand new star Henry Garrett’s ‘abysmal’ Scottish accent in scenes with Aidan Turner
The BBC drama is losing to ITV's Victoria in the ratings battle, and those who are tuning in can't work out what Bristolian actor Henry Garrett is trying to say in bizarre Scot accent
POLDARK fans have hit out at a new character’s “excruciating” Scottish accent.
Dozens of viewers complained about Captain McNeil’s dodgy dialect during Sunday night’s episode on BBC1.
Played by Bristolian Henry Garrett, 35, many said they couldn’t understand what he was trying to say during his conversations with Demelza, played by Eleanor Tomlinson, 24.
Scottish TV presenter and Loose Women panellist Kaye Adams tweeted: “This is weird. I can’t understand the Scottish accent on #Poldark. I thought I was Scottish”
Lynne McPherson added: “The actor playing McNeil’s attempt at a Scottish accent is beyond excruciating #Poldark”
Another fan wrote: “Not sure what’s worse about this soldier - his ‘tache or his ABYSMAL SCOTTISH ACCENT #Poldark”
Irish star Aidan Turner, 33, who plays Ross Poldark, has previously revealed his relief of not having to learn a Cornish accent.
He said: “Poldark is a Cornish character, but the family was wealthy and well respected, and Ross would have gone to public school, so he probably wouldn’t have had a Cornish accent.
“It made more sense not to have it. And I’m sure it made my life easier!”
Meanwhile co-star Eleanor admitted earlier this year that she turned to a speech coach to stop her “mumbling” her Cornish words.
And BBC bosses admitted having to make changes to the audio after complaints about the audio on its previous Cornish drama Jamaica Inn.
Producer Karen Thrussell explained: “If there’s anything we can’t hear when we get the rushes back, we will go and do ATR which is digital recording.
“We have a couple of Cornish actors, and their accent is so strong and authentic we have to make sure we can understand it.”
It comes as Poldark lost out again in the ratings war again to ITV’s rival period drama Victoria.
It brought in a peak audience of 4.9million, while 5.4million tuned into watch Prince Albert woo the young Queen.
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