I know why Renee gets to play the English Women (I think)

[demolitionlvr]

Call me overly cynical if you like, but it's occurred to me that Renee Zelwegger gets to play the parts of English women because (aside from the fact that she's a very good actress of course) is that she is so good at playing the dowdy, frumpy, plain spinsterish type which English women must all be, of course, if they are not evil or fat.

Now, we all know that even if the some English people are clearly not evil, they must definitely be plain, especially the women. English women who are nice, are ALWAYS plain, frumpy and spinsterish, it's a well-known fact everywhere in the world, and we're almost starting to believe it ourselves, as it being nice is somehow unattractive.

Of course, she's also American, which means they don't have to pay an English actress or give on a break - even better!

 

[elaina. :D]

I think Renee is only good at playing certain types of English women, just like good ole' Gwyneth - posh, middle to upper class youngish women who speak really well and do the whole plummy accent thing. Having said that can't imagine anyone but Renee playing Bridget Jones although at the time I would have preferred a British actress.

 

[neil s]

Renee was needed for Bridget Jones to make it more attractive to a U.S. audience.

 

[djannika]

Yup, for the reasons I stated in the OP, I suspect

 

[TheOneAndOnly]

Her English voice - you can't really call it an accent it's so extreme - is unlike any English actor's voice. In its way it's as unreal as Dick Van Dyke's cockernee impression. It's just so squeaky.

 

[Hey Diddle Diddle!]

she is a brilliant actress, she always has been.

 

[Camillus Fly]

It's not outraegously unreal like Dick van Dyke's but it's just about off enough to make you think "this isn't right". Still, I find it kinda sexy so I'm not too fussed.