The new drama Out There has made its debut on ITV, featuring Martin Clunes as Welsh farmer Nathan Williams.
It premiered on Sunday 19 January, and many ITV viewers were immediately hooked by the intense drama. Out There delves into the dark underbelly of county lines drug trafficking, with Nathan facing the harsh realities of this trade in his community.
However, Martin’s attempt at a Welsh accent has not gone down well with some fans, who have been vocal about their disappointment on social media after the show aired on ITV.
“As a Welsh person, this welsh accent is poor. Martin, you’re great but the accent is really off putting. I can’t watch it #OutThere,” one viewer expressed on X.
Another chimed in: “I mean, there are a number of distinct Welsh accents but this is none of them. #OutThere,” and a third shared: “Martin Clunes Welsh accent is bad but not bad like Stephen Graham’s in White House Farm #OutThere.”
One frustrated fan posted: “#OutThere The thing that most annoys me about the accent is that it’s the only thing people are tweeting about.”
Yet, some came to Martin’s defence, with one saying: “I’m Welsh. I have no problem with it. There are so many different accents in Wales.”
Beyond the accent controversy, viewers were also taken aback by a particularly gruesome opening scene in the first episode of Out There, reports Wales Online.
Nathan is sent into a panic after receiving an urgent call and sets off to find one Gwen (played by Sharon Morgan). Upon meeting her, he’s met with her screams and gestures towards a barricaded barn. Inside, he finds an old man who’s taken refuge with a shotgun.
Nathan attempts to negotiate with the man through a narrow opening of the barn door. However, tragedy unfolds as the sound of a shotgun blast echoes, followed by harrowing visuals of the barn stained with blood.
The scene left audiences reeling, with many taking to X, the platform that’s taken Twitter’s place, to voice their reactions. “I know they advertised this as ‘gritty’ but this is depressing,” said a dismayed viewer, while another commented: “Think this might be too stressful #outthere.”
Out There episode two airs on ITV1 on January 20 at 9pm, with the full box set also available to watch now on ITVX
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