Understanding Accents in TV Shows: A Case Study from American Gods

When creating a TV show, writers and directors face the challenging task of portraying characters who come from diverse backgrounds. American Gods is no exception. In particular, one character, Shadow Moon, raises some questions regarding the use of American accents. Even though he is from France, Shadow Moon speaks with a perfect American accent before even entering the country. This article explores why this happens and what it tells us about the choices made by the creators and actors.

Common Practices in TV Show Accents

It's not uncommon for actors to speak in a dialect or accent that does not match their real-life background in order to accurately represent the character they are portraying. In the case of Shadow Moon, if his accent is an American one, it suggests a few possibilities. One is that the actor chosen to play Shadow Moon is an American and the accent is his natural one. This is often the easiest and most practical solution, as many actors can only perform in their native accent without substantial coaching or practice.
Another possibility is that the actor is not French but has successfully learned to perform with a French accent in a past role. However, if the character's narrative requires a more American voice, it is easier to maintain the American accent rather than relearn an accent that might have faded with time.

The Case of Buffy and Angel

For a similar phenomenon, let's look at the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel TV series. In Buffy, whenever the character Giles (played by Rowan Atkinson) needs to revert to his younger self, he speaks with an American accent. However, this choice proved to be a misstep, as Atkinson's American accent was described as atrocious by many viewers. This led the show's creators to eventually revert to Giles' natural British accent, a process that was somewhat realistically portrayed in subsequent episodes.

David Boreanaz and Irish Accents

To further illustrate the point, let's take a look at an instance from the Buffy and Angel series involving David Boreanaz, who played Angel. Boreanaz, while known for his ability to lip-sync effectively, is not renowned for his accent work. His attempt to portray Irish-accents in the Immortal episode of Buffy was widely criticized for being subpar. In the case of Shadow Moon, it's highly likely that the actor's natural American accent is being used rather than a forced French accent, for similar reasons.

The Importance of Authenticity in TV Show Accents

While convenience is a significant factor, the use of an actor's natural accent can help maintain a higher level of immersion and authenticity in a TV show. For instance, many shows set in specific time periods rely on the actors to use clocks, voice modulators, or other tools to achieve the desired accent, even if the actor's natural speech is different. This approach often results in a more believable and consistent portrayal.

Conclusion

In the world of American Gods, the use of an American accent for the character Shadow Moon, despite his being from France, speaks to the practicalities of casting and the realities of accent performance. While it might seem odd at first, the decision to maintain a natural American accent is a reasonable one, and it reflects the nuanced choices made by the creators and actors to ensure the best possible storytelling.