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Why does every member of the Galactic Empire sound like they came from England? It's a question that Star Wars fans (and detractors) have posed since the earliest days of the franchise. And now, it appears we have an actual answer, thanks to a very reliable source. That source would be Ben Mendelsohn, who plays a Star Wars villain (and space Brit) himself - Orson Krennic, the antagonist of both Rogue One and Andor, season 2.

Taking part in a Moovy TV interview along with fellow Andor baddy Denise Gough, who play Dedra Meero, Mendelsohn was asked about the famously Anglicised antagonists of the Galaxy Far, Far Awy. And while Gough joked thta "everything sounds more evil in a British acent," Mendelsohn had a bit of a more thought-out answer.

"There's a historical reason for it too," said The Outsider actor, "Typically we're talking about American films and, you know, the villain would be played by the heavyweight actors. They tended to be Brits. [...] You have Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, etcetera, etcetera." 

Well there you go, Star Wars fans. The real reason that all of the villains in Star Wars sound like they came from the UK isn't because British people are necessarily evil, just that a whole host of them are so damn talented. Although we should point out, Ben, that Vincent Price was born in Missouri. 

I guess if you play Professor Ratigan, however, you get honorary citizenship.

Andor Season 2 is streaming on Disney+ now.

Get to know, understand, and love the Star Wars franchise more with our Star Wars watch order, guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, and all the Star Wars movies and Star Wars TV shows ranked.