Home
TV
Sci-fi
Some Doctor Who viewers outside the UK struggled to understand the accents

Some Doctor Who viewers outside the UK struggled to understand the accents

A number of fans from across the Pond were forced to turn the subtitles on during Jodie Whittaker's debut

Flora Carr

Published: Friday, 19 October 2018 at 9:27 pm

For many British viewers, the distinctly Northern feel to Sunday night's Doctor Who ("Eat my salad, 'alloween!") was a welcome revelation.

But it seems that some watching elsewhere struggled to understand the Yorkshire accents in the series opener, which was set in Sheffield and starred Jodie Whittaker in the title role, speaking in her native twang.

A new Doctor Who character has become an instant cult figure
Doctor Who casts Mark Addy, Chris Noth and Julie Hesmondhalgh in mysterious new roles
Doctor Who series 11 episode 1 – as it happened

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow YouTube and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

The warning signs were there when American subtitlers recently struggled to decipher Whittaker's accent during her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and misspelt her home town Huddersfield.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Twitter may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Twitter and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

And on Sunday, some viewers tuning in to watch the Thirteenth Doctor were forced to resort to the subtitles.

"I haven’t watched British television in a while so I had to turn the subtitles on," one viewer joked on Twitter.

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

"Loved the show, but my American hubby kept asking me what she was saying," another viewer noted. "Guess we'll be adding in the subtitles."

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

But for some Yorkshire residents, the strong accents were a point of pride.

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Doctor Who continues on BBC1 on Sunday 14 October at 6:55pm

This article was originally published on 8 October 2018

Authors

Flora CarrDrama Writer, RadioTimes.com

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec