Star City Showrunners Explain English Dialogue Choices in New Series
Why Does Everyone In 'Star City' Speak English? The Showrunners Reveal The Reason

Image: Inverse
In the Apple TV series Star City, set in the USSR during the late 1960s, characters speak English instead of Russian, sparking viewer curiosity. Showrunners Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert, along with star Rhys Ifans, reveal that this choice was made for authenticity and practicality, following advice from Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin.
- 01Star City features English-speaking actors portraying Russian characters without using Russian accents.
- 02Showrunners initially considered using Russian actors and dialogue but deemed it impractical given current geopolitical tensions.
- 03Rhys Ifans, who plays the Chief Designer, based his character's speech on real-life Soviet figure Sergei Korolev.
- 04The decision to avoid accents was influenced by the diversity of Russian accents and the challenge of accurately portraying them.
- 05Star City is set to premiere with two episodes on May 29, with new episodes released weekly.
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The upcoming Apple TV series Star City, which delves into the Soviet space race during the late 1960s, has sparked discussions regarding its choice to feature English dialogue. Unlike its predecessor For All Mankind, where Russian characters are portrayed by Russian actors speaking their native language, Star City opts for English to enhance viewer engagement and accessibility. Showrunners Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert revealed that early considerations included using Russian actors and dialogue, but they ultimately decided against it due to the complexities posed by current geopolitical issues. They consulted Craig Mazin, known for the acclaimed miniseries Chernobyl, who advised that using English was the best approach. Rhys Ifans, who portrays the Chief Designer inspired by Sergei Korolev, explained that his character's Welsh accent serves to reflect the diverse accents within the USSR, emphasizing the authenticity of the setting. Star City debuts on May 29, with new episodes airing every Friday.
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