Sarah Lancashire's real accent at NTA's leaves Happy Valley fans baffled

NTA viewers are flooding to social media in shock after realising what Happy Valley Sarah Lancashire's real accent sounds like.

An actor not having the same accent as their best known character?! What is the world coming to!

Although, to be fair, I certainly wasn't expecting that voice to come out of Sarah Lancashire's mouth considering just how convincingly she plays - and how well she suits the accent of - Happy Valley's Sergeant Catherine Cawood.

Lancashire has adopted a whole plethora of accents during her 40 plus years in the film and television industry.

From a Bristol accent when playing the character of social worker Miriam Grayson in Channel 4 drama Kiri to her Welsh accent in The Accident.

However, the role she is best known and loved for - and the portrayal which led her to receive the award for Drama Performance at the National Television Awards (NTAs) last night (Tuesday, 6 September) - is that of Cawood in BBC hit Happy Valley.

And NTA viewers have been left pretty flabbergasted Lancashire's real life accent doesn't match Cawood's heavy Yorkshire accent.

BBC

In her acceptance speech, Lancashire reflected how much she 'adored every scene' and 'every moment' of Happy Valley.

She continued: "I know I will never forget it, nor the brilliant people that I've worked with, the way the BBC have supported us.

"I have to say some things about Sally Wainwright because she is Happy Valley, she is what makes it, her writing is so extraordinary, her characters are extraordinary and anyone who is in receipt of those words is the luckiest actor in the world, in truth.

"To James Norton, to Siobhan Finneran who has been my partner in crime for three years and she is an extraordinary actress." She finished by saying: "My family walk every step of the way with me, and I am so incredibly lucky to have them in my life."

While Lancashire's speech and dedications to the rest of the Happy Valley team were heartwarming, all viewers were left saying the same thing.

ITV

Flooding to X, NTA viewers were left gobsmacked by Lancashire's true accent, with one saying: "Hearing Sarah Lancashire have a posh accent is so weird hahahaha."

Another added: "Love the collective shock of hearing Sarah Lancashire's real accent #NTAs2023 Well done to her though, great actress."

"Shocked that Sarah Lancashire doesn’t have a northern accent in real life haha #NTAs2023," a third commented.

A fourth wrote: "Love the collective shock of hearing Sarah Lancashire's real accent #NTAs2023 Well done to her though, great actress."

And a final user resolved: "You’re shocked hearing Sarah Lancashire’s actual accent because she’s a fantastic actress. That’s it. An actress! Not a 'celebrity' who participates on every single reality tv show going or attends the opening of an envelope. You’re welcome! #NTAs2023."