‘White Lotus’ star Aimee Lou Wood jokes her ‘teeth’ are the reason she doesn’t sound American despite pitching accent

Aimee Lou Wood, known for playing Chelsea in The White Lotus, has opened up about her decision to keep her Manchester accent for the role, despite initially pitching an American one. While she can perform an American accent, the British actress joked that her teeth are a major giveaway that she is not American.

In an interview with The Sun, Wood explained how Mike White, the show’s creator, preferred her natural accent, even though she had prepared an American one for the role. “Mike just wanted my Manchester one,” she revealed, adding that White didn’t think it was necessary to change her character’s background.

While many actors struggle to perfect an accent, Wood admits her British roots remain visible through her teeth. “No Americans have my teeth,” she said with humour, referring to the feature that keeps her from fully blending in as an American. This quirk was further confirmed when an American audience member complimented her accent but noted that her appearance gave her away.

Photo: HBO

Wood also clarified that while some people mistakenly assumed she couldn’t do an American accent, she assured them, “I can do an American accent! I swear!” She acknowledged that White saw no need to make Chelsea American, as it would add an unnecessary barrier between her and the character. Instead, the decision was made to keep Chelsea’s British roots, which worked well for her portrayal.

Photo: HBO

The choice to embrace her natural accent not only made Wood feel more authentic in the role but also helped her stand out in the diverse ensemble of The White Lotus. As she continues to receive praise for her performance, her “distinctive teeth” have become an endearing part of her identity in the show.