Hire voice actors with a British accent

Voice actors with a British accent include Benedict Cumberbatch, Emma Thompson, and John Cleese. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the Grinch in the 2018 animated film and Smaug in “The Hobbit” film series. His deep, baritone voice is soothing and ominous, which suits menacing or witty characters. Emma Thompson voices Elinor in Brave and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Her elegant, warm timbre accentuates nurturing characters with sophisticated yet motherly tones. John Cleese voices King Harold in Shrek 2 and 3, and he narrates The Gruffalo series. Cleese’s crisp, articulate British accent is his vocal trademark. His gruff, sarcastic tone adds a comically dry wit to characters, highlighting their whims and quirks. Here’s more on the British accent voice styles of professional artists. 

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What is a British accent?

A British accent is the collective accents and dialects of United Kingdom speakers. Several British accents, like Received Pronunciation (RP), Cockney, Northern English, and Scottish, exist in the UK. Received Pronunciation, or Queen’s English, is the most recognized British accent. It has a clear, non-regional diction and portrays authority and prestige. Features of RP include distinctive vowel pronunciations. Words like “bath” and “dance” typically contain longer sounds, like Barrth or Darrnce. The British also emphasize the letter ‘r’ when it precedes a vowel, creating a softer sound at the end of words like “butter” or “car.” Another distinguishing feature is the glottal stop, which replaces ‘t’ sounds in particular words. This makes words like “better” sound more like “be’er.”

Popular British accent voice actors

Popular British accent voice actors are Sir David Attenborough, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Idris Elba, and Emma Thompson. Sir David Attenborough is synonymous with nature documentaries. He captivates audiences with a uniquely engaging narration. Benedict Cumberbatch has an enigmatic voice that brought the menacing dragon Smaug to life and created the sauve personality of Doctor Strange. Tilda Swinton has an ethereal vocal quality, marked by a crisp, sophisticated speech. She voices the Oracle in Isle of Dogs. Idris Elba has a commanding, powerful voice. His roles include Shere Khan, the tiger from The Jungle Book, and Fluke, the sea lion in Finding Dory. Emma Thompson has a charming maternal voice that charmed audiences as the voice of Queen Elinor in Brave. Listen to samples from talented British accent voice actors to find the perfect match for your next project.  

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FAQs

How can I make my voice sound British?
Listen to British speakers in films and TV shows, and watch the news. Practice speaking aloud using pronunciation guides, and consider formal accent training with a coach.
How is the British accent spoken?
It’s spoken with distinctive vowel and consonant sounds. Received Pronunciation (RP), or BBC and Queen’s English, is one of the most recognized accents. It has clear diction and non-rhoticity (not pronouncing the “r” at the end of words).
How do I get a British accent?
This takes practice and patience. Listen to native speakers, repeat phrases and sentences, and practice vowel and consonant pronunciation.
How can I say hello in a British accent?
Keep the pronunciation crisp and short. The word sounds more like “heh-loh” with a softer ‘h.’