dialects - Accents of characters in Downton Abbey


To continue the question started in identifying accents of British actors, there is one popular current cultural artifact with an excess of non-standard British accents, and that is The BBC series Downton Abbey.


For one very specific example, Anna Smith pronounces the word 'money' not as in standard English 'MUH-nee' (IPS /'mʌ nij/) but instead says something like 'moo-NAY' (IPA /mʊ 'ne/).


'Upstairs' I figure the accents are entirely RP except for Lady Grantham (with the well discussed General American/RP mix).


But I'd very much like to know what each of the 'downstairs' characters' accents are.


A google search says nothing more than what the IMDb FAQ about the show says:



Some of the servants (eg Mr Carson, Mrs Patmore, Anna and Sarah O'Brien) speak with northern accents (either Yorkshire or Lancashire).



And there is dialog and/or plot that identifies Branson as Irish and John Bates as Scottish.


What I'm looking for is something more definitive.


So, excluding the upstairs characters, what are the regions/accents of the following? (if possible please be specific, that is if you can tell the difference between, say, Mancunian and Yorkshire).


(for identities, consult IMDb )



  • Charles Carson - butler

  • John Bates - the earl's valet

  • Sarah O'Brien - the countess's maid

  • Anna Smith - Lady Mary's maid

  • Thomas Barrow - footman

  • Mrs. Hughes - housekeeper

  • Daisy Mason - cook's aid

  • Mrs. Patmore - cook

  • Tom Branson - chauffeur

  • Joseph Molesley - footman

  • Dr. Clarkson - physician

  • Ethel Parks - maid

  • William Mason - footman


A simplified answer is sufficient. If all are Yorkshire (whatever that is) except for Branson and Bates, then I'd like that confirmed. But if more can be said then so much the better. (e.g. Dr. Clarkson sounds 'different' to me, but I just can't tell.)



Answer




  • Charles Carson - butler: Yorkshire (ref)

  • John Bates - the earl's valet

  • Sarah O'Brien - the countess's maid

  • Anna Smith - Lady Mary's maid

  • Thomas Barrow - footman: Mancunian (ref)

  • Mrs. Hughes - housekeeper: West Scots (ref 1, ref 2)

  • Daisy Mason - cook's aid

  • Mrs. Patmore - cook: Mancunian (ref)

  • Tom Branson - chauffeur

  • Joseph Molesley - footman

  • Dr. Clarkson - physician

  • Ethel Parks - maid

  • William Mason - footman: Yorkshire (ref)


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