The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards was meant to be a historic night for Sinners and its creative team. Ryan Coogler made history by winning Best Original Screenplay, marking a major milestone as one of the first Black winners in the category. His victory was widely celebrated as a powerful moment for representation and storytelling.
In his acceptance speech, Coogler reflected on the community that shaped him, saying he comes from "a community that loves me and spoke a lot of power into me." For many viewers, the win stood as one of the defining highlights of the evening.
However, at another point during the ceremony, an unexpected incident shifted the tone of the night.
Who Shouted the Slur?
The racial slur was shouted by John Davidson, a Tourette's syndrome activist who attended the ceremony as an invited guest. Davidson is the real-life inspiration behind the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, which chronicles his life living with Tourette syndrome.
The outburst occurred while Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage presenting the award for Best Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash. Audience members reportedly gasped, and Jordan appeared visibly startled as the moment unfolded.
Importantly, the incident did not occur during Sinners' award win, but during a separate presentation later in the ceremony.
Before the show began, attendees had been informed that Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, might experience involuntary vocal tics during the broadcast.
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition that can cause sudden, uncontrollable movements or sounds known as tics. In an estimated 10-15% of cases, individuals experience coprolalia - the involuntary utterance of profanity or socially inappropriate language.
Immediate Response From the Stage
Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience following the incident, explaining that Tourette syndrome is a disability and that the verbal outbursts are involuntary.
"You may have noticed some strong language," Cumming said. "This can be part of how Tourette's syndrome shows up for some people."
Davidson later left the auditorium of his own accord.
Delroy Lindo Speaks Out
Following the ceremony, Delroy Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan "did what we had to do" while continuing their presentation. However, he also expressed disappointment that no one from BAFTA immediately checked in with them afterward.
BAFTA later issued what it described as an "unreserved" apology, acknowledging the profound harm associated with the slur and taking responsibility for how the situation was handled. The BBC also apologized for airing the moment during its delayed broadcast and confirmed it would be removed from replay versions.
Davidson released a statement saying he was "deeply mortified" if anyone interpreted his involuntary tics as intentional or reflective of his beliefs.
A Night of Triumph and Tension
Despite the controversy, Sinners remained one of the evening's most significant success stories, with Coogler's historic win reinforcing the film's impact this awards season.
The dual realities of the night - a landmark achievement for Black filmmakers and an incident involving an involuntary racial slur during a separate presentation - prompted broader conversations about race, disability, and institutional accountability.
In a year marked by cultural milestones, the 2026 BAFTAs may ultimately be remembered not only for its winners, but for the complex and difficult dialogue that followed.
