Director Matt Ruskin didn’t want his stars to take on Boston accents for his true-crime film boston strangler.
Talk to decision makerthe Boston-born filmmaker himself explained why the film’s protagonist, Keira Knightley, doesn’t adopt an accent:
“I wanted to stay away,” Ruskin said. “She could definitely do it. But coming from Boston, I felt like I didn’t want people talking about accents. I wanted them to talk about the story and the characters.
Ruskin also added that the British star was perfect for the role.
“She had all the characteristics we were looking for, this incredible outer strength, but also this ability to convey a fascinating inner life. And I think she identified on a personal level with Loretta’s story, as a woman who has a demanding career and a family. She could relate to some of these challenges.
Knightley plays 1960s journalist Loretta McLaughlin in the character-packed film. With her colleague Jean Cole (Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age), Loretta pursues the story of a serial killer, Boston Strangler, who killed 13 people.
boston strangler premiered on Hulu on March 17, 2023.