Chris O’Dowd calls for more regional accents on-screen amid Celtic language “resurgence”

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What’s the view from your sofa?

On one wall, adorned with a rich, dark-green wallpaper, stands a large TV, though it’s typically recommended to place it above a fireplace. Our two canine companions, Meatloaf and Puffin, along with the feline duo, Boo and Myrtle, often lounge on the sofa. In our household, we also care for a tortoise named Sandwich.

Are you referring to the children’s animated series called “Puffin Rock,” which tells stories about seabirds along the Irish coast that you narrate?

Indeed, the character of Puffin was inspired by the fact that O’Dowd’s sons, whom he shares with his spouse, writer and presenter Dawn O’Porter, were frequently engrossed in it during that period. Essentially, Puffin is similar to me reciting a bedtime story!

What have you been watching lately?

Puffin Rock features regional Irish accents. Do you think we’re hearing them more often on screen?

Currently, we’re experiencing a fantastic era where Irish actors are thriving and making significant strides. This success is increasingly becoming the norm. Regional accents play a crucial role in this as they represent diverse backgrounds authentically. It’s unproductive for everyone to merely mimic posh English accents, as it doesn’t reflect the diversity of people’s actual voices and experiences.

Can you speak any Irish?

I’ve been utilizing Duolingo during the recent Celtic language revival. I find this revival remarkable, as the suppression of language has led to a significant loss of self-knowledge. Instead of saying “bits, but not well,” one could say “fragments, yet incomplete.

In the past century, Ireland focused largely on gaining independence and establishing its own identity. However, our unique heritage took a back seat during this process. Now that we’ve achieved self-reliance, there’s a growing desire to reclaim what was once lost. I can only hope that the Irish language will not succumb to erosion by the British over the next hundred years.

Are you implying that in the successful romantic comedy “Bridesmaids,” you adopted a unique accent of your own? Do you believe there’s an adequate number of romantic comedies currently being produced?

I believe they transitioned to watching television. There’s some fantastic romantic comedy writing in shows such as Sharon Horan’s Catastrophe. It’s unfortunate that the movie theaters have been flooded with action films, leaving little room for romantic comedies. I wonder if romantic movies for dates are still popular? What do people opt for these days instead of Superman?

Which audience do you usually share your work with before it becomes part of productions like ‘Moone Boy’ and ‘Small Town, Big Story’?

In Los Angeles, Dawn and I used to throw many get-togethers at our home, welcoming Irish actors, friends such as Jason Segel (one of my closest friends), and countless others for lively discussions. Now that we’re living in the UK, our gatherings revolve around traditional Sunday roasts. I enjoy taking on the challenge to create something new during these events and put myself under pressure to have fresh work ready when we meet again after about six weeks.

In the TV series ‘Black Mirror’, you played a character who signed up your spouse, portrayed by Rashida Jones, for a health care subscription due to her brain tumor diagnosis. This scenario made you ponder about the possible impact of technology on our future.

The episode “Common People” primarily explores how to navigate relationships when your partner is ill, as I’ve found myself frequently in hospitals with aging family members lately. Despite our increasing life expectancy, we haven’t significantly improved conditions for the elderly. As a society, we seem to prioritize technology over compassion, which carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages, much like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Ultimately, you may not have many options in this matter. It’s going to be similar to self-service checkouts – less personal, slightly more efficient, but leaving everyone with a less satisfying experience overall.

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2025-09-09 03:26