Sinners Cast Condemns BAFTA, BBC for 'Exploiting' Tourette Syndrome Advocate's Incident

Jayme Lawson, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo speak out about the controversial moment at the BAFTA Film Awards involving John Davidson.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:55pm

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At the recent NAACP Image Awards, Sinners actress Jayme Lawson addressed the incident at the BAFTA Film Awards in which John Davidson, who has Tourette Syndrome, yelled the n-word while presenters Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage. Lawson blamed BAFTA and the BBC for being 'careless' and 'exploiting' Davidson's disability. Sinners stars Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku also commented on the incident, with Mosaku saying BAFTA 'has a lot of lessons to learn' and the BBC's decision to air Davidson's outburst was 'exploitative and performative'.

Why it matters

The Sinners cast's comments highlight ongoing issues around inclusion and disability representation in the entertainment industry. Their criticism of BAFTA and the BBC for their handling of the incident raises important questions about how organizations can better support and protect marginalized individuals invited to participate in high-profile events.

The details

During the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony on February 22, John Davidson, who has Tourette Syndrome, yelled the n-word while Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award. This led to apologies from BAFTA, the BBC (which aired the ceremony), and Davidson himself. At the NAACP Image Awards on February 28, Sinners actress Jayme Lawson addressed the incident, saying Davidson's 'disability got exploited that night' and blaming BAFTA and the BBC for being 'careless' in their treatment of the situation. Sinners stars Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku also commented, with Mosaku saying BAFTA 'has a lot of lessons to learn' and the BBC's decision to air Davidson's outburst was 'exploitative and performative'.

  • The incident occurred during the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony on February 22, 2026.
  • Jayme Lawson addressed the incident at the NAACP Image Awards on February 28, 2026.
  • Delroy Lindo and Wunmi Mosaku commented on the incident at the Actor Awards on March 1, 2026.

The players

Jayme Lawson

A 28-year-old actress who stars in the film Sinners.

John Davidson

An individual with Tourette Syndrome who yelled the n-word during the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony.

Michael B. Jordan

A 39-year-old actor who stars in the film Sinners and was presenting an award at the BAFTA Film Awards when the incident occurred.

Delroy Lindo

A 73-year-old actor who stars in the film Sinners and was presenting an award at the BAFTA Film Awards when the incident occurred.

Wunmi Mosaku

A British actress who stars in the film Sinners and commented on the incident.

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What they’re saying

“Institutionally, we still don't understand what inclusion means. Just because you invite someone into a space, but you don't provide the necessary resources to keep them and everyone else in that room safe by them being there, that's not inclusivity. That's exploitation.”

— Jayme Lawson, Sinners Actress

“A real lack of care was exercised for those two Black men. You do not care for our dignity, our humanity. You want to celebrate our art, but you won't protect [us].”

— Jayme Lawson, Sinners Actress

“I'd just like to officially say, I appreciate, we appreciate all the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend. It means a lot to us.”

— Delroy Lindo, Sinners Actor

“BAFTA has a lot of lessons to learn, but... it felt exploitative and performative to have someone there without the full protection of everyone, including him, and anyone in that audience.”

— Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners Actress

“The BBC choosing 'to keep that in,' was 'the bit that really kind of kept me awake at night and brought tears to my eyes... I can't understand it and I'm not sure I can forgive it.”

— Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners Actress

What’s next

The judge in the case against John Davidson will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges around inclusion and disability representation in the entertainment industry. The Sinners cast's criticism of BAFTA and the BBC's handling of the situation underscores the need for organizations to provide better support and protection for marginalized individuals invited to participate in high-profile events.