Gerran Howell says fans are 'shocked' by his real-life Welsh accent on 'The Pitt'

Howell says it takes people "a second to be like, 'Is this guy doing a bit?'" when he's not playing Dennis Whitaker

Gerran Howell is surprising fans off-screen, revealing that many are still taken aback when they hear his real-life Welsh accent instead of the American voice he uses on The Pitt.

In an interview with People, the actor shared that audiences often don’t expect his natural voice after watching him play Dr Dennis Whitaker. He said, “Some people still seem a bit shocked… It takes them a second to be like, ‘Is this guy doing a bit?’”

Howell, who is Welsh, uses an American accent for his role on the medical drama, which has become so convincing that viewers are often confused when they hear him speak in interviews or at public events.

He admitted that maintaining the accent hasn’t always been easy, especially when it comes to certain words. “It’s not even a complicated medical term, but I struggled with the word ‘tube’ for a while,” he said, noting it became a “tongue twister” due to how often it appears in medical dialogue.

The reaction from fans has been particularly noticeable during press appearances and panels, where Howell said there’s often an audible surprise when he begins speaking in his natural voice.

Best known in the UK for roles in shows like Young Dracula and appearances in projects such as 1917 and Catch-22, Howell has gained wider international recognition through The Pitt, where his American accent has become a defining part of his character.

Despite the initial shock, Howell said audiences have largely embraced the contrast, with many seeing it as a testament to his performance.