BBC viewers blast hit drama after ‘struggling to understand what half the cast are saying’ – but did you notice?
BBC viewers have hit out at crime drama Sherwood after finding it nearly impossible to understand the cast.
People watching the BBC series have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, with some admitting they have had to rely on subtitles just to follow the plot.
One viewer wrote: “Does anyone else have trouble understanding what half the cast is even saying? I can’t understand anything Ryan (Stephie’s brother) is saying and I have to try to figure it out by what the person he is talking to says in return.
“He’s not the only one I have trouble understanding. This wasn’t an issue in S1.
“It isn’t just their accents – it’s their accents combined with a lot of mumbling, and muffled tones as well. Especially Ryan, his mumbling is off the charts, and he barely moves his mouth when he speaks.”
Another viewer added: “It’s an industry-wide problem. The sound people seem to have lots of excuses, but for me, there is no excuse.
“If people watching ordinary TVs cannot hear the dialogue, then you haven’t done your job.”
A third fan chimed in: “So many BBC dramas these past few years are just mumbling. Nowt to do with accents in my opinion.”
While a fourth agreed: “We use subtitles for Sherwood in our house. Most of the actors are fine but Ryan is unintelligible.
“I really don’t get this mumbling trend. Maybe directors are going for realism, but I wonder how their fellow actors even understand them.”
Despite complaints from viewers, Sherwood was officially renewed for a third season in September.
The series takes place in a Nottinghamshire mining village, where two murders added to an already divisive local history.
The first two seasons explored “the lives and legacy of those governed by Britain’s industrial past”.
They tackled difficult social issues such as division among local communities over miners’ strikes and gang warfare.