Warning: Your favorite TV star may not be a real American!

Don’t worry, the Watcher isn’t delving into the current political silliness. It’s just that these days, the star of an American TV show is just as likely to be British or Australian.

The notion of actors from overseas doing an American accent is not completely new – remember Jane Seymour as Dr. Quinn or Olivia d’Abo as Kevin Arnold’s big sister – but what had been a trickle has become a flood.

This season’s biggest new star, Simon Baker of “The Mentalist,” is Australian, as is Anna Torv of “Fringe.” Jason O’Mara of “Life on Mars” is Irish. Charlie Hunnam of “Sons of Anarchy” is English. New “Grey’s Anatomy” regular Kevin McKidd is Scottish and joining the cast next month is Melissa George, another Aussie.

At the root of the trend is economics. TV production in other English-speaking countries, particularly Australia, has fallen off. American producers, meanwhile, are happy to sign on classically trained, experienced actors.

Even though “Without A Trace” has boasted a trio of foreign stars – Anthony LaPaglia, Poppy Montgomery and Marianne Jean-Baptiste – for several years, most observers agree it was Hugh Laurie of “House” who really opened producers’ eyes.

Here are some more stars who are faking their American accents.

From Australia: Yvonne Strahovski, “Chuck”; Rachel Griffiths, “Brothers & Sisters”; Dominic Purcell, “Prison Break”; Rose Byrne, “Damages.”

From the UK: Matthew Rhys, “Brothers & Sisters”; Anna Friel, “Pushing Daisies”; Lena Heady, “Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles”; Ed Westwick, “Gossip Girl”; Damian Lewis, “Life”: Linus Roache, “Law & Order”; Jonny Lee Miller, “Eli Stone”; Natascha McElhone, “Californication.”

Posted in: TV: Scripted shows • The Watcher |

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