Dialect Coach Susanne Sulby Reveals Secrets Behind "Task" Accents

In the weeks leading up to the October 19th finale of the HBO crime thriller "Task", viewers were treated to the distinct Delaware County, Pennsylvania (Delco) accent that had previously been heard in the network's 2021 hit "Mare of Easttown". Dialect coach Susanne Sulby, a Doylestown, Pennsylvania native, was the driving force behind helping the "Task" cast, including Tom Pelfrey and Mark Ruffalo, master this unique regional dialect.

Sulby, an actor and dialect coach who studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, has a keen ear for accents and has previously coached actors like Jacki Weaver and Evan Peters on capturing the Philly-area sound. For "Task", she worked closely with the cast to help them navigate the distinct blend of northern and southern influences that make up the Delco accent, from the specific vowel sounds to the unique local phrases.

According to Sulby, the Delco accent is a fascinating mix, with "coffee" and "talk" reflecting northern influences, while words like "car" and "hard" have a stronger southern-style R sound. She also notes the impact of the area's diverse immigrant populations, with the South Philly accent differing slightly from the more general Delco sound.

Sulby's dedication to authenticity paid off, with the "Task" cast delivering performances that captured the essence of the regional dialect. She worked closely with actors like Tom Pelfrey, whose character Robbie had a very strong Delco accent, and Mark Ruffalo, whose character required a more nuanced approach due to his background. Sulby also provided resources like audio samples and on-set coaching to help the international cast, which included actors from Ireland, England, and South Africa, seamlessly integrate the Delco accent into their performances.