Tom Hanks, Lincoln in the Bardo and the BAFTA Controversy

Tom Hanks cast as Abraham Lincoln while BAFTA addresses John Davidson’s involuntary racial slur incident.

Tom Hanks, Lincoln in the Bardo

Can an involuntary noise carry the weight of centuries of racial trauma?

The 2026 BAFTAs will be remembered for more than just the trophies. It became a flashpoint for one of the most difficult conversations in television history.

John Davidson, a 54-year-old Tourette’s advocate, attended to celebrate his film I Swear. However, during a presentation by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, he involuntarily shouted a racial slur.

The incident has left Davidson “deeply mortified” and the BBC issuing public apologies, highlighting the razor-thin line between supporting neurodiversity and protecting the dignity of Black artists.

The Lincoln in the Bardo Reveal

While the BAFTA controversy swirled, a casting announcement sent shockwaves through the industry: Tom Hanks is Abraham Lincoln.

This isn’t your standard biopic; it is an adaptation of the Booker Prize-winning Lincoln in the Bardo.

• The Team: Produced by Playtone (Hanks/Goetzman) and directed by the master of surreal storytelling, Duke Johnson.
• The Twist: George Saunders is adapting the script himself, ensuring the film captures the ethereal, “ghost-filled” graveyard setting of the novel.

The Anatomy of a Tic

The John Davidson incident is a masterclass in the complexities of Tourette’s Syndrome.

What actually happened:

• The Pre-warning: BAFTA took the rare step of having Alan Cumming and a stage manager warn the auditorium that Davidson’s noises were involuntary.
• The Slur: Despite the warnings, the specific nature of the slur—directed toward two Black men—triggered an immediate response from the NAACP, emphasizing that regardless of intent, the impact was a lack of “dignity and respect.”

Don’t Blame the Editor

The knee-jerk reaction was to blame the BBC for not “censoring” the slur. However, there is a counter-argument to consider.

Why the “Raw” broadcast matters:

• Authentic Visibility: If the BBC had edited it out, the “educational” goal of Davidson’s presence and his film I Swear would have been sanitized.
• The “Mortification” Paradox: Davidson’s public apology and the BBC’s explanation actually provide a larger platform to discuss Coprolalia (the involuntary use of obscene language).
• The NAACP’s Vital Role: Their statement reminds us that neurodiversity shouldn’t be a “shield” that makes us forget the very real pain of racial slurs. We must hold space for both the advocate’s medical reality and the presenters’ right to a safe environment.

The New Hollywood Standard

Between Tom Hanks taking on the soul of Lincoln and John Davidson forcing us to confront the realities of Tourette’s, Hollywood is entering a phase of radical honesty.

We are no longer just telling “stories”—we are debating the very nature of human belief versus human biology.

Key Takeaways:

• Casting: Tom Hanks is officially the 2027 frontrunner for his role as Lincoln.
• Education: John Davidson’s I Swear is now the most talked-about documentary of the year.
• Media Ethics: The BBC’s decision to leave the audio in (or their failure to edit it) will change how “live-to-tape” events are handled globally.