Hannah Beachler Criticizes Alan Cumming’s ‘Throw-Away’ BAFTA Apology Over N-Word

The BAFTA Film Awards were clouded by a heated debate over how the ceremony handled several racial slurs heard during the live event. Hannah Beachler, the acclaimed production designer for the film Sinners, took to social media to express her frustration, stating that the host’s attempt to mitigate the situation actually exacerbated the pain of those targeted.

Beachler, who was in attendance as a nominee, revealed that the slurs occurred multiple times throughout the evening, including an instance where she was personally addressed. The outbursts originated from John Davidson, a prominent Tourette’s campaigner whose life story was the subject of the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear.

During the presentation of the Best Visual Effects award by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, Davidson’s condition resulted in the vocalization of the N-word, which was clearly audible to both the live audience and viewers at home. Despite the broadcast having a two-hour delay, the slur was not edited out, leading to widespread criticism of the network’s oversight.

I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words. The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.

— HannahBeachler (@HannahEBeachler) February 23, 2026

Host Alan Cumming addressed the room twice during the night to explain that Tourette’s is a disability and that the language used was entirely involuntary. He asked the audience for their understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone, emphasizing that the individual had no control over his vocal tics.

However, it was his final remark that drew the sharpest rebuke from Beachler and other attendees. In his closing statement, Cumming reiterated that the tics were involuntary but added a standard apology: We apologize if you are offended tonight.

Beachler found this specific phrasing to be dismissive and insufficient given the gravity of the slur. She argued that the use of a throw-away apology of ‘if you were offended’ ignored the reality that the language was objectively offensive, regardless of the medical intent behind it.

Beachler elaborated on the emotional toll the night took, noting that she struggled to find the words to describe the almost impossible situation. While she acknowledged the complexity of balancing disability awareness with racial sensitivity, she insisted that the institutional response failed the Black creators in the room.

She stated that while she exists above the negativity, the experience did not bounce off of me and was a heavy burden to carry during what should have been a celebratory night. The evening was a bittersweet one for the team behind I Swear, as the film took home several major trophies despite the surrounding controversy.

Robert Aramayo, who played Davidson in the biopic, won the Best Leading Actor award, beating out a competitive field that included Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan. The film has been praised for its raw look at Davidson’s life after being diagnosed with Tourette’s at age 25, though the events at the ceremony have complicated its legacy.

Hannah Beachler remains a pioneering force in production design, having previously won an Academy Award for her world-building on Black Panther. She is currently in high demand, with rumors suggesting she will reunite with Ryan Coogler for a secret project currently in pre-production for 2027.

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