Actor Jason Isaacs, known for his diverse roles, recently cleared up misconceptions regarding the origins of Timothy Ratliff’s accent, his character from the popular series “White Lotus.” During a revealing interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, Isaacs detailed that, contrary to cast members’ previous suggestions, his portrayal wasn’t influenced by personalities from the reality show “Southern Charm.”
Isaacs, at 61, shared that his character comes from a different region in South Carolina, where accents differ significantly from those in Charleston, the city where “Southern Charm” is filmed. “I did not watch or base anything on anybody from ‘Southern Charm,'” he asserted to Cohen, who is also an executive producer on the Bravo show. He emphasized, “That’s the end of that conversation — sorry,” putting to rest any ongoing speculations.
The conversation gained traction in February when Isaacs’ co-star, Sam Nivola, informed PEOPLE that “White Lotus” creator Mike White had recommended the Ratliff family cast research “Southern Charm” as a character study. Isaacs confirmed this initial suggestion, recalling, “At the beginning, he said, ‘Here’s a guy you might want to think about.'” However, upon further examination of his script, Isaacs realized that his character’s dialect was not what it seemed at first glance.
After speaking with Liz Himelstein, a renowned dialect coach, he discovered that influences from Southern Charm were unsuitable. Isaacs explained his decision to turn towards southern politicians for accent inspiration instead, delving into local mannerisms and linguistics specific to Durham. “They have two vowel sounds,” he noted, tracing these back to historical roots. “Not everyone in Durham, not young people, but particularly Tim, who wants to sound like his grandfather,” Isaacs elaborated, providing depth to his character by linking the accent to family legacy and local heritage.
The nuances of the Durham accent, as Isaacs elaborated, include distinct short ‘R’ and the precise ‘O’ sounds unique to that region. This linguistic history adds layers to the Ratliff character, enriching the storytelling of “White Lotus.”
The revelation from Isaacs came alongside comments from Cameran Eubanks, an early star of “Southern Charm.” Eubanks took to Instagram when “White Lotus” premiered, noting what many viewers perceived about Isaacs’ accent as being reminiscent of Thomas Ravenel from their show. “Damn, he sounds like Thomas Ravenel!” she exclaimed. Despite similarities, Eubanks clarified the dialect distinction, saying, “That dialect is NOT North Carolina. It’s old Charleston,” highlighting broader regional dialects.
Eubanks, familiar with southern dialects, added insights entertainingly, “Lots of messages asking what the difference is between a Charleston accent and the Old Charleston accent.” She pointed out, “Well, there really is no such thing as current Charleston dialect because now more Northerners live here than Southerners 🤣BUT the old Charleston English is still clinging on to a few.” These playful observations further emphasize the variety of Southern American dialects.
Despite these discussions, Isaacs’s strategic use of accent showcases his dedication to authentic performance. His research-driven approach enriches “White Lotus,” adding authenticity to entertainment rooted deeply in character nuance. With each episode, audiences are reminded of the thoughtful craftsmanship behind the scenes, helmed by actors like Isaacs who bring roles to life with precision and historical respect.
