Received Pronunciation Spoken Today
In this section, I have put together examples of Received Pronunciation spoken today by various well known actors and celebrities. I’ll also include actors from previous generations so you can get a feel for the generational differences.
Here are some characteristics that distinguish modern RP from Standard British English:
- Usage of the standard vowel sounds of Southern British English. The vowel sounds of modern RP are slightly different to that of traditional RP.
- Rounding of the lips when articulating the sounds /w/, /uː/ and /əʊ/.
- Clear articulation of the /r/ sound in words such as ‘red’ and ‘rabbit’. In Estuary and Cockney, these sounds are often substituted with the /w/ sound.
- The use of the glottal stop tends to be avoided with the exception of linking two consonant sounds together.
- Sounds are aspirated from the front of the mouth. Cockney English tends to be more gutteral. We can also observe this in the plosive sounds such as /p/, /b/ and /t/, etc. Aspiration is a key component that helps with the clear articulation of the sounds of RP.
- Distinct diffirentiation between stressed and unstressed syllables. The schwa sound is distinctly short and concise.
- Clear articulation of the dark /l/ at the end of words such as ‘fall’ and ‘hill’.
- Clear articulation of the /θ/ sound in words such as ‘think’ and ‘thought’.
- Clear articulation of the /ð/ sound in words such as ‘this’ and ‘then’.
- Strong aspiration of the /h/ sound in words such ‘hello’ and ‘happy’.
The RP accent can also vary according to the difference in tone, intonation and pitch, etc.
Examples of Received Pronunciation Today
This is just a small selection of examples of Received Pronunciation spoken by actors today. RP is prominent amongst the leading British actors in Hollywood.
Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig is a highly acclaimed British actor best known for his portrayal of James Bond in the popular spy film franchise. He has also starred in several other successful movies and has received numerous accolades for his performances. Born in 1968 in Chester, England, Craig began his acting career in theatre before transitioning to film and television.
Ben Kingsley
Sir Ben Kingsley is an English actor who has appeared in over 100 films and television shows throughout his career. He is best known for his performance as Mahatma Gandhi in the film Gandhi, as well as his roles in other critically acclaimed movies such as Schindler’s List, Sexy Beast, and Hugo. Kingsley has also received numerous other awards and honors for his work. Born in 1943 in Yorkshire, England, Kingsley began his acting career in theatre before transitioning to film and television.
Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout his career, including the Harry Potter film series, Die Hard, and Sense and Sensibility. Rickman was also a successful director, having helmed several acclaimed stage productions in London and New York. Born in 1946 in London, Rickman began his acting career in theatre before transitioning to film and television. Rickman passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most respected actors of his generation.
Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren is best known for her roles in movies such as The Queen, Gosford Park, and The Hundred-Foot Journey. Mirren has also appeared in several popular TV series, including Prime Suspect and Elizabeth I, for which she won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Born in 1945 in London, Mirren began her acting career in theatre before transitioning to film and television.
Hugh Bonneville
Hugh Bonneville has appeared in several popular films and television shows. He is perhaps best known for his role as Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham in the award-winning period drama series, Downton Abbey. Bonneville has also appeared in several other notable productions, including the films Notting Hill and Paddington, as well as the TV series Twenty Twelve and W1A. Born in 1963 in London.
Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes is an English actor who is best known for his roles in movies such as Schindler’s List, The English Patient, and the Harry Potter film series. Fiennes has also received acclaim for his work on stage, having performed in several productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre in London. Born in 1962 in Suffolk, England, Fiennes began his acting career in theatre before transitioning to film and television.
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson is an English actor, comedian, and writer who is best known for his portrayal of the character Mr. Bean. He has also appeared in several other popular TV shows and films, including Blackadder and Love Actually. Atkinson is widely regarded as one of the most talented comedians of his generation, and his performances are characterized by their physicality, wit, and charm. Born in 1955 in Newcastle, England, Atkinson began his career as a comedian and writer before transitioning to acting.
Kate Winslet has appeared in numerous successful films throughout her career. She is best known for her roles in movies such as Titanic, The Reader, and Sense and Sensibility. Winslet has also received acclaim for her work on stage, having performed in several productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre in London. Born in 1975 in Reading, England, Winslet began her acting career in theatre before transitioning to film and television.
Tom Hiddleston is known for his performances across film, television, and theatre. He gained worldwide fame for his portrayal of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Colin Firth began acting in school and trained at the Drama Centre in London. Discovered during a performance of Hamlet, his first professional role was in the West End’s Another Country, leading to a film adaptation. Firth gained acclaim for roles like Robert Lawrence in Tumbledown and Mr. Darcy in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, earning BAFTA nominations. In 2011, he won an Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in The King’s Speech.
Hugh Grant is a celebrated British actor known for his performances in films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Notting Hill (1999), and Love Actually (2003). A former Oxford scholar and cricket enthusiast, Grant transitioned from student drama to international fame, earning a Golden Globe and BAFTA for his role in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Rupert Everett rose to fame with Another Country (1984), earning a BAFTA nomination, and later starred in hits such as My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) and An Ideal Husband (1999). Everett has balanced acclaimed stage performances, including Blithe Spirit and The Judas Kiss, with notable film roles, such as voicing Prince Charming in the Shrek series.
Past Examples of Received Pronunciation
Alec Guinness
Alec Guinness was an English actor who had a prolific career in film, television, and theatre. He is best known for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as his work in films such as Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, and Doctor Zhivago. Guinness was a versatile actor, able to convincingly portray a wide range of characters with nuance and subtlety. Born in 1914 in London, Guinness began his acting career on stage before transitioning to film and television.