Technical staff say actors’mumble’ to enhance realistic scenes in TV series.

  • According to film technicians, inaudible dialog on television shows was a deliberate decision
  •  It’s something television viewers have been complaining about it for years
  • Experts claim that mumbling actors are more realistic and give a better performance. 










For years, viewers have complained about the situation. 

Now film technicians say inaudible dialogue on TV shows is a deliberate choice by directors who take the idea from cinema for a more ‘realistic’ performance.

The BBC has fallen victim to using mumbling actors, or ‘mumbledom’. 

Now film technicians say inaudible dialogue on TV shows is a deliberate choice by directors who take the idea from cinema for a more ‘realistic’ performance. Pictured: Catherine in Happy Valley

Now film technicians say inaudible dialogue on TV shows is a deliberate choice by directors who take the idea from cinema for a more ‘realistic’ performance. Pictured is Catherine in Happy Valley

Pictured: Happy Valley star Charlie Murphy. Happy Valley is one such programme accused of having mumbling actors

Pictured: Happy Valley star Charlie Murphy. Happy Valley, one of these programs is accused by having muffled actors

Malcolm Johnson, of the Institute of Professional Sound, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘Directors are persuading actors to downplay their delivery, and almost throw their lines away, thinking that it is more realistic'. Pictured: Peaky Blinders

Malcolm Johnson, of the Institute of Professional Sound, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘Directors are persuading actors to downplay their delivery, and almost throw their lines away, thinking that it is more realistic’. Pictured: Peaky Blinders

It has promised – and failed – to overcome sound issues after complaints about series such as crime drama Happy Valley.

Subtitles have become a necessity for viewers.

Malcolm Johnson, of the Institute of Professional Sound, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘Directors are persuading actors to downplay their delivery, and almost throw their lines away, thinking that it is more realistic.’

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