Channel 4 viewers have ridiculed new drama The Accident for its ‘dodgy’ and ‘shocking’ accents.
The four-part series, starring Happy Valley actress Sarah Lancashire, tells the story of a group of teenagers in a sleepy Welsh town who are caught up in an explosion on a building site – and the crushing impact it has on the community.
Warning! Episode one spoilers ahead.
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In the first episode, hairdresser Polly (Sarah Lancashire) and her pals were taking part in a charity fun run when they heard an explosion over at a new building development.
A group of kids had been messing around in the site and seemingly set off a gas explosion. As the crowd gathered at the gates of the smoking building, rescue teams entered the property.
The site then collapsed around them, killing almost everyone inside.
The first installment wasn’t without its tense and at times difficult-to-watch moments. In one scene, Polly’s councillor husband Iwan (Mark Lewis Jones) threw off his calm, friendly facade to beat her up.
But it appears viewers had trouble getting past the actors’ Welsh accents, and former Coronation Street star Sarah’s in particular.
Utter garbage. Not even Sarah Lancashire can rescue this.
One viewer said: “The fake Welsh accents are shockingly bad, ruining #TheAccident. They should have set it up North or used Welsh actors.”
Another wrote: “Didn’t like the domestic violence bit. Ditto dodgy accents. #theaccident.”
A third tweeted: “#TheAccident Sarah, sorry, you can’t do the accent. All over the place.”
The fake Welsh accents are shockingly bad ruining #TheAccident They should have set it up North or used Welsh actors
— Jeanette Makinson (@InBFenby) October 24, 2019
Didn't like the domestic violence bit. Ditto dodgy accents. #theaccident
— Englishteachervng 🏳️🌈🐱🌵🍫 (@engteachervng) October 24, 2019
#TheAccident Sarah sorry you can't do the accent all over the place.
— welsh1 (@only_sian) October 24, 2019
Others came out to slate the overall quality of the programme.
“Utter garbage,” said one disgruntled viewer, adding: “Not even Sarah Lancashire can rescue this.”
“Not often a drama gets 100% damning verdict, it was utter rubbish and whatever ratings tonight, it will be half next week,” predicted another.
Utter garbage. Not even Sarah Lancashire can rescue this. #TheAccident
— Adam (@adamzsapple) October 24, 2019
#TheAccident @Channel4 @iankatz1000 Not often a drama gets 100% damning verdict,it was utter rubbish and whatever ratings tonight,it will be half next week.
— alanscott (@alansco30862700) October 24, 2019
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For some The Accident got off to a promising start, as someone tweeted to Channel 4: “The Accident was really good, great performances by all, brilliant opening episode. Looking forward to next week.”
“An excellent programme tonight, #TheAccident,” echoed one fan.
@Channel4 The Accident was really good great performances by all brilliant opening episode looking forward to next week #TheAccident
— Lorraine Ricks (@Lorraine1979) October 25, 2019
An excellent programme tonight #TheAccident
— Declan McGrath (@declaa) October 24, 2019
The Accident, which was announced earlier this year under the working title The Light, continues on Thursday (31.10.19) at 9pm on Channel 4.
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