New ITV drama Out There made its debut on Sunday evening, with leading man Martin Clunes starring as a troubled father and struggling farmer, Nathan.
While many viewers were intrigued by the premise, which explores county lines drug dealing in the countryside, unfortunately a large group felt the need to “switch off” just minutes in.
For the role, Clunes, 63, had to take on a Welsh accent, but those tuned in complained he hadn’t got the dialect right.
The Wimbledon-born actor has been applauded for his range of roles throughout the years, but sadly his acting prowess wasn’t enough to keep people distracted by the accent tuned in.
Plenty took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their criticisms and how, despite “loving” Clunes, they couldn’t continue watching the drama.
“As a Welsh person, this welsh accent is poor. Martin, you’re great but the accent is really off putting. I can’t watch it #OutThere,” one shared.
Martin Clunes is currently starring as the leading role in ITV crime drama, Out There
ITV
“Struggling with Martin having a Welsh accent in this already #outthere,” another posted.
“Uh oh…. Dodgy Welsh accent alert! #outthere,” a third commented.
A different X user added: “Oh my God. I thought it was Cornish for a minute and going right through me. I love him but he cannot do Welsh (probably the second worst I’ve seen) #OutThere.”
“Really wanted to watch this but I’m not getting it so far & Martin’s attempt at a Welsh accent is grating #OutThere,” another admitted.
Out There viewers were distracted by Martin Clunes’ accent
ITV
Someone else asked: “Don’t they know any Welsh actors, who wouldn’t endlessly f*** up the accent? #OutThere,” one more remarked.
Others didn’t agree with the strong take, with some detailing how much they had been enjoying the debut episode.
“So far so good….#OutThere,” one more positive review read.
Those who stay tuned into the series are likely to witness plenty of twists and turns, with an ITV synopsis for the drama reading: “Clunes plays Nathan Williams, a man who runs a farm which has been in his family for generations, caught in a numbing rhythm of work and grief following the death of his wife, Sabine, two years previously.
“A single parent to teenager Johnny, Nathan is uniquely placed and possesses enough pent-up energy to take on the gangs that threaten to engulf his son.
“Consequently, he embarks on a personal journey that will take him ever further out of his comfort zone into a dark alternative world as he fights to protect his family, his homestead and his legacy.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Martin Clunes stars as struggling farmer, Nathan
ITV
“He’s missed all the clues that the country idyll around him has been fatally compromised, contaminated by waves of criminality spreading and mutating virus-like from the city.”
Viewers may even recognise Clunes’ on-screen son Louis Ashbourne Serkis, with the 20-year-old coming from a famous family.
The actor explained recently how his parents, actor and director Andy Serkis and actor Lorraine Ashbourne, emphasised how he didn’t need to follow their career direction.
“When I was younger my parents always said, ‘You’re not bound by this, you can do whatever you want and we will support you,'” the actor told ITV.
“But I think basically growing up on set, and being comfortable around it, and seeing other people do it, and eventually trying it, I genuinely fell in love with acting.”