Josh O’Connor is finally bringing his much-anticipated collaboration with Paul Mescal to the big screen in The History of Sound, but the British actor admits that perfecting his American accent was no easy feat.
In an interview with IndieWire, the Crown star reflected on one of the most challenging aspects of filming the World War I drama: adapting his speech to sound authentically American.
The Challenge of the American Accent
O’Connor explained that mastering the accent required extensive practice and significant adjustments to his mouth movements. “I’ve lost the accent now. But the letter R is swallowed. You do some gymnastics in your mouth to say the letter R,” he said.
He continued, “It’s drawn out, whereas the American accent is a relaxed R, and so it’s difficult for me to move my mouth in the way that it’s supposed to for an American accent. It takes me a long time to get it right.”
About The History of Sound
The film stars Josh O’Connor as David and Paul Mescal as Lionel, following their mission during World War I to record the lives, voices, and music of American citizens. The story blends history, music, and human connection, capturing a unique period in time through the lens of sound.
Directed by Oliver Hermanus, the film was set to premiere on September 12, and fans are eagerly awaiting the collaboration between O’Connor and Mescal, two of the most talked-about actors of recent years.
Anticipation Builds
With its historical premise and star-studded cast, The History of Sound promises to be a compelling exploration of human stories during a pivotal era. O’Connor’s dedication to authenticity, particularly mastering the American accent, underscores his commitment to fully immersing himself in the role.
