The British are coming — to U.S. prime time

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British actors say they're attracted to American prime time for several reasons.

"There's not really a film industry in England and the quality of TV in America is so high," says Myles, noting the tradeoff for having to spend time away from family and friends.

"U.K. TV is being dumbed down a lot," notes Lewis, adding that when you do a U.S. network show "you are part of an enormous studio system and have that feeling of being in a much larger community than in England."

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Ovenden puts it another way: "TV in America has more ambition."

But why is U.S. television inviting the British over in the first place? Theories abound.

Some insiders suggest it might have to do with the success of Hugh Laurie, once best known as the utterly English Bertie Wooster but now Emmy-nominated for portraying the acerbic American medic in the highly rated Fox series "House."

Or maybe British talent is "just cheaper," teases Headey, who recently settled into a not-so-cheap new home in the Hollywood Hills.

Or it could be the appeal of the British style of acting, theorizes Westwick, who recalls one Hollywood casting director telling him that "American actors think about their face and their voice, but don't use their bodies enough."

McKidd notes the British invasion is probably just "coincidence, as everybody's story about how they got here is very different."

Myles got a letter "on proper Warner Bros. stationery" inviting her to take the "Moonlight" role after the studio decided to recast the pilot.

Ryan sent in an audition tape. "I really didn't expect to get it," she says, "though I knew my accent was good."

Robinson snagged the "New Amsterdam" role with a live audition. "The world is getting smaller and producers really cast a wider net," she says.

David Eick, executive producer of "Bionic Woman," says the proliferation of British stars this season isn't about "U.K. actors over American" but more likely due to a move away from the trend of casting big name TV stars or established movie stars new to TV.

"It's tilting back in the other direction, he says, "to the realization that TV is a star-making medium and fresh faces and new blood can break through."

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