Amazon Prime's new crime thriller Kill Jackie, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, has been praised by a Swansea writer for its refreshing portrayal of a Welsh accent in a leading action role. Indigo Jones, an audience writer for WalesOnline, says the series features murders, dark humour, stunning outfits and a soundtrack including Tom Jones.
Jones, who describes herself as a Swansea girl, says she never felt she saw someone who sounds like her on TV growing up. Welsh accents are typically seen in comedies like Gavin and Stacey and Twin Town, or dramas such as Submarine and Keeping Faith.
A Welsh accent in a leading role
In Kill Jackie, Zeta-Jones plays Jackie Price, an extravagant globe-trotter trying to stay under the radar after escaping a "dangerous past as an international cocaine dealer". She has spent two decades living a lavish yet low-profile life, before learning that The Seven Demons, a group of the world's most feared assassins, have been contracted to kill her.
Jones says she has never seen a "bad ass female drug dealer with a thick Welsh accent" before. She describes the character as a stunning and powerful woman who goes against the stereotypical representation of Welsh women on screen. She adds that she has never seen Zeta-Jones play a character like this, noting the actress has a different energy, "almost like she was born to play this role".
Filmed in Swansea and Bilbao
The series is based on the book The Price You Pay by Nick Harkway, in which the lead character isn't meant to be Welsh. Zeta-Jones advocated for her character to have her native Swansea accent, which Jones believes is why it works so well. She calls it possibly Zeta-Jones' best performance to date, partly because the role is comedic. Zeta-Jones told Amazon Prime it was "liberating" to use her own accent.
Jones also enjoyed the nods to Wales throughout the series, including a "diolch yn fawr" scene, a rendition of Calon Lan, pop art prints of Tom Jones, and music by Shirley Bassey and Bonnie Tyler. One episode, set in Swansea, marked the first time Zeta-Jones has ever filmed in Wales. Jones appreciated that the show displayed both sides of the city, showing the beauty of the Mumbles and the coast while also highlighting the reality of some housing estates.
The series was also shot in Bilbao, Spain, which Jones says added to the grittiness of Jackie's character and backstory.
A fast-paced, comedic thriller
Jones describes the series as visually colourful and fast paced, leaving viewers wanting more after each episode. She praises the supporting cast, including Daniel Ings, Darci Shaw and Óscar Jaenada, for adding to the comedy without taking away from the tender moments.
She recommends Kill Jackie for anyone looking for something fast paced and full of action that leaves you laughing and wanting more, and says she hopes there's a second series.
