How Mastering Accents Opened New Doors in My Voiceover Career
Accents are one of the most powerful tools in a voice actor’s arsenal — even if they don’t come naturally at first.
Recently, I auditioned for a role that required a Greek accent. I’m not Greek, and I don’t speak Greek, but I’ve always loved Greek mythology, history, and culture… so I thought, why not give it a shot?
At first, I had no idea where to start. So I used my passions and experiences — I turned to video games. I remembered Alexios from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey which I spent a long time listening to because it is a very long game, and Zani from Wuthering Waves, who I play as in that game. I looked up clips of them on YouTube to familiarize myself with them again listening closely to how they shaped vowels, placed consonants, and carried rhythm. From there, I blended what I heard with the sounds I already knew from speaking Spanish. To my surprise, there were a lot of similarities: rolled R’s, open vowels, musical cadence. I didn't know if this was what they were looking for but this was my interpretation of a Greek Accent.
I sent in the audition… and a week later, I found out I booked it.
When the Accent Becomes a Character
During the session, something interesting happened. I realized I was unconsciously performing — probably channeling more of the video game characters than myself. One of the directors paused and said, “You don’t have to play a character. Just be you with the accent.”
That note flipped a switch in me.
Accents shouldn’t be masks we hide behind. They should be filters that enhance our natural voice. You don’t need to become someone else. You just need to lean into your version of that sound.
Why Accents Matter in Voiceover
A few months before this session, I had another audition that required a very specific accent. I mixed my natural Spanish accent with something inspired by The Chosen — and I booked that one too.
Later, they told me the reason I was chosen was because of the accent.
That’s when it really clicked for me:
Accents aren’t just a bonus skill; they’re a competitive advantage.
They're doors. They unlock entirely new casting pools.
You may not be from every place. But with research, respect, and practice — you can honor a sound and bring it to life in your own authentic way.
If you’re a voice actor and accents intimidate you, start small. Study. Practice. Borrow from what you already know. Blend cultures. Find overlap. And most importantly, don’t lose yourself in the performance.
Because sometimes, the winning take isn’t the “perfect accent.”
It’s the honest one.