Warner Bros. Demanded BAFTA Remove N-Word From Broadcast During ‘Sinners’ Awards Moment

Warner Bros. reportedly acted fast after a racial slur was heard during the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night. A source with direct knowledge of the situation said studio executives immediately contacted BAFTA after the incident happened during the live ceremony.

The moment took place while “Sinners” stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the first award of the evening. Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson made an involuntary outburst that included the N-word. The comment was heard inside the venue.

The source told Variety that Warner Bros. executives quickly raised concerns with BAFTA and asked for the slur to be removed from the BBC’s time-delayed broadcast scheduled to air later that night. The same source said the studio remained in contact with BAFTA throughout the evening and even met with representatives the following day. They were reportedly told that the request to edit the moment had been passed along.

Despite this, the BBC broadcast aired without the word being removed. This led to backlash online and public criticism. The BBC later issued an apology. The network claimed producers were not aware of what had been said until after the program aired. However, that explanation has now been questioned following the account shared with Variety.

Many viewers online have also asked how such a clear moment in the room was not flagged to those handling the broadcast.

The situation has caused ongoing anger toward both BAFTA and the BBC. Late Monday, BAFTA released a statement taking responsibility. The organization said it accepted “full responsibility” and acknowledged it had placed its guests in a difficult position. BAFTA added that it wanted to “apologise unreservedly” to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The statement also said, “We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”

The controversy continues as questions remain about how the situation was handled and why the request to remove the slur was not reflected in the final broadcast.

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