James Nesbitt, a 61-year-old actor from Ballymena in Northern Ireland, has spoken about his efforts to promote his native Northern Irish accent in films and television. Known for roles in series like Murphy’s Law and Bloodlands, Nesbitt recently gained international attention through his performances in Harlan Coben’s Netflix adaptations, including Stay Close (2021), Missing You (2025), and Run Away (2026). In a recent interview with The Times, Nesbitt said that streaming platforms have given him a global audience and a platform to advocate for the use of his accent. He stated, "I absolutely fight to do the Northern Irish voice now because I want that sound to travel the world." Nesbitt recalled a pivotal moment in his career during his audition for the ITV comedy Cold Feet (1997–2003), where he insisted on using his Northern Irish accent. He told the director, "You will be able to take credit for having a Northern Irish voice in a drama where it’s nothing to do with the Troubles for the first time." This was significant because Northern Irish accents had often been associated with the political and social tensions known as the Troubles, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted from the late 1960s to 1998. Nesbitt, who holds both British and Irish passports, identifies himself as "an Irish Protestant from the North of Ireland." He explained that people from Northern Ireland have multiple ways to describe their identity. "I think you can call yourself Irish, you can call yourself Northern Irish, you can call yourself from the north, you can do whatever you want," he said, emphasizing the diversity of self-identification among people from the region. Nesbitt’s efforts reflect a broader trend in media to showcase regional accents and identities more authentically. By using his Northern Irish accent in international productions, he is helping to bring greater visibility to the unique cultural and linguistic heritage of Northern Ireland on a global stage.