Another BBC TV drama hit with sound complaints - even the scriptwriter struggled to hear Quirke

The writer of Quirke received and even vented his own complaints over inaudible, mumbled dialogue in the show.

17:02 05 June 2014

Quirke is the latest BBC series to experience poor sound quality and mumbling actors resulting in complaints from viewers. 

 

The writer of the series, Andrew Davies, admitted that even he and his wife struggled to hear what the actors were saying – somewhat shocking given that Davies should be able to predict what lines were coming. He said that they needed to use subtitles to understand the story. 

 

Talking to RadioTimes.com, he said that he was asked by his wife:  "Do you mind if we have the subtitles on?"

 

He continued: “It's a funny thing, mumbling. It's a bit to do with actors, a bit do with modern, flat-screen televisions and both my wife and I are of an age where our hearing is beginning to go.” 

 

Last week, a BBC spokesman said it “received complaints from some viewers unhappy with the sound quality during Quirke.” 

 

The spokesman added: “A wide range of factors can influence audibility and we are looking into why this should be and whether there are any steps we can take to improve the experience for the audience for episode two...We will continue to work with others in the television industry on this important subject.”

 

Jamaica Inn was also hit by the same complaints.