The BBC's highly anticipated new drama, This Town, has been hit by a tsunami of criticism from disillusioned viewers, with many branding the series 'unwatchable' mere moments after tuning in. The six-part series, created by acclaimed Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, promised a gritty portrayal of 1980s Birmingham and the birth of ska and two-tone music.
However, the show's ambitious vision has been completely overshadowed by one glaring issue: the cast's widely panned attempts at the local Brummie dialect. Taking to social media in their droves, furious licence fee holders have slammed the 'atrocious', 'painful', and 'cringe' accents, which they argue have ruined the entire viewing experience.
A chorus of discontent on social media
The verdict on X (formerly Twitter) was swift and brutal. One exasperated viewer wrote: '#ThisTown tried to watch but the accents are so bad it's actually unwatchable. A shame.' Another echoed the sentiment, stating, 'The accents in #ThisTown are so bad. I've turned off. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to it.'
The criticism wasn't limited to casual viewers. One user, claiming to be a proud Brummie, delivered a particularly scathing review: 'As a Brummie I was excited for #ThisTown but the accents are so bad it's actually offensive. We don't sound like that. It's a caricature. Turned it off.'
From high hopes to a major letdown
The backlash is a significant blow for the BBC and Steven Knight, whose reputation for authentic Midlands storytelling, built on the global success of Peaky Blinders, had generated considerable excitement for the project. For many, the failure to accurately capture the distinct vocal tones of the region has proven to be an insurmountable barrier to enjoying the drama, regardless of its other qualities.
The intense negative reaction raises questions about the preparation and dialect coaching provided for the cast, suggesting a missed opportunity to truly honour the community it seeks to represent. With many viewers admitting they've already abandoned the series, This Town faces an uphill battle to win back its audience.
