Detective drama Vera has been criticised by viewers who claim the Northumberland accents on the programme are not accurate and can be “tough to hear”.
The hugely popular show starring Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope returned to ITV on Sunday night for its eighth series.
Viewers were gripped as the detective investigated after a body was found in an abattoir, calling it a “triumphant return” to television screens.
But some felt the Geordie accents let the crime show down.
One viewer moaned on Twitter: “Well I’ve managed 15 minutes watching #Vera and can’t take anymore of the awful attempt at a north east accent #cringe #packitinpet.”
Well I’ve managed 15 minutes watching #Vera and can’t take anymore of the awful attempt at a north east accent #cringe #packitinpet
— Danielle Moore (@MooreDanielle16) January 7, 2018
One said: “Absolutely love #Vera but oh dear the accents.”
Absolutely love #Vera but oh dear the accents 🤤
— Ann Winch (@mommawinch) January 7, 2018
“Are there ANY real Geordie actors in #Vera ? Some of the accents are downright shockin’,” said another.
Are there ANY real Geordie actors in #Vera ? Some of the accents are downright shockin’ 😱
— Tracey James (@traceyjames74) January 7, 2018
One unimpressed viewer tweeted: “First time watcher. Accents so bad. Last time watcher.”
First time watcher. Accents so bad. Last time watcher. #Vera
— Barry Thompson (@Rev_BT) January 7, 2018
One person said the show offered a “tumble dryer mash-up of North East accents”.
#Vera back on. A tumble dryer mash-up of North East accents. Reach in and take your pick.
— Gordon Arnott (@coyknorth) January 7, 2018
“I love #Vera I do, but the Geordie accents are not good, as someone from North East they are tough to hear,” said another.
I love #Vera I do, but the Geordie accents are not good, as someone from North East they are tough to hear 😂
— Joanna Sams (@joannasams78) January 7, 2018
It is not the first time the detective series has been criticised over regional pronunciations.
However, there were some viewers who thought actress Blethyn, 71, had cracked it this time.
One praised: “Love watching #vera me like. @BrendaBlethyn has nailed the accent.
“Northumbrian, ashington pit-yakker, with bit of river Newcastle, but pronounces O’s like a posh Geordie. As a DCI would I expect.”
Love watching #vera me like. @BrendaBlethyn has nailed the accent. Northumbrian, ashington pit-yakker, with bit of river Newcastle, but pronounces O’s like a posh Geordie. As a DCI would I expect.
— Andy (@andywatson83) January 7, 2018
And one viewer pointed out: “#Vera Why do people watch this and complain about the accents? It’s one of the best things on TV. If you don’t like it don’t watch it.”
#Vera Why do people watch this and complain about the accents? It's one of the best things on TV. If you don't like it don't watch it.
— Valerie Saunders (@ValerieSaunder1) January 7, 2018
Vera and her team will investigate three more cases during the current season – a mysterious car crash, the death of a teenage boy and a suburban back garden murder.