Sinners Star Reveals Baftas Tourettes Slur Cast 'Shadow' Over Award Victory
Wunmi Mosaku, the acclaimed British-Nigerian actress from the hit series Sinners, has spoken out about the profound distress she experienced following the BBC's failure to censor a racial slur during its broadcast of the Bafta film awards last month. The 39-year-old star, who won Best Supporting Actress, stated the incident cast a "shadow" over her recent achievement, making the period since the ceremony "very difficult."
Broadcast Blunder Sparks Outrage and Investigation
Speaking exclusively to Glamour magazine, Mosaku criticised the broadcaster's decision to air the offensive language, which was reportedly shouted by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson as her Sinners co-stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award at the London event. "Everyone who was impacted deserved the grace to have it taken out – the care to have it taken out," she argued.
Mosaku revealed that the cast discovered the slur was included in the online broadcast later that evening, despite assurances of a family-friendly show with a two-hour delay. "We’d been told that it was a family-friendly show at 7pm and that there was a two-hour delay. So how could it possibly have been left in?" she questioned, highlighting the apparent oversight.
Immediate Aftermath and Industry Response
Recounting the immediate aftermath at the ceremony, Mosaku described how the cast "just held each other" for support. "I was (up for) the next award, so I came off the stage and I saw them, and I hugged them," she shared, illustrating the emotional impact on the night.
The BBC has since initiated a "fast-tracked investigation" by its Executive Complaints Unit (ECU), acknowledging the broadcast as a "serious mistake." Outgoing director-general Tim Davie has stated the corporation "profoundly regrets" the events, following an inquiry from the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee.
Healing Through Community and Personal Reflections
In the wake of the incident, Mosaku, Lindo, and Jordan attended the NAACP Image Awards in California, an event celebrating black and minority ethnic achievements in the arts. Mosaku described this as a "healing" experience, telling the magazine it was a "really beautiful way to feel the love again, and remember the community that we’re celebrating – and who has been celebrating us."
The heavily pregnant actress also shared insights into her personal life, explaining how impending motherhood has given her "a different drive." She elaborated: "I was driven before I had my daughter but it gives me a new clarity. Now it’s not just a job – it’s time away from her. I’m very cautious about who I choose to spend my time with."
Navigating ADHD and Prioritising Home Life
Furthermore, Mosaku discussed her attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, which causes her to "really struggle" with being calm. She concluded: "I now consider my ADHD in everything, so home life takes priority over socialising or texting on a group thread – I’m not trying to read all these messages."
The incident has sparked broader conversations about broadcast standards and sensitivity in live television, with many calling for stricter protocols to prevent similar occurrences in future awards ceremonies.
