‘Sherlock’ actor quits BAFTA over “toecurling” 2023 show

Phil Davis Sherlock BAFTA

Sherlock actor Phil Davis has resigned from BAFTA over its “embarrassing” 2023 awards ceremony.

Davis, who starred as the first killer in the BBC series opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, tweeted his resignation, calling the awards “an embarrassing travesty”.

“Cutting deserving winners speeches for toe-curling non-interviews. Poor Richard E Grant pretending to arrive in a Batmobile and no Bernard Cribbins in memorium. I resigned my membership,” the actor tweeted.

BAFTA received criticism for not including Carry On actor Bernard Cribbins in the show’s in memorium section, to which the organisation replied that he was being “considered” for the TV awards.

“It’s fair enough to remember Bernard Cribbins at the TV @bafta, not the film. To say he’s being ‘considered’ is the work of an idiot,” responded Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies.

Elsewhere at the BAFTAs, Ariana DeBose has responded to various memes following her viral rap performance at the awards.

Ariana DeBose
Ariana DeBose at the 2023 BAFTA Film Awards. CREDIT: Mike Marsland/WireImage

The actor, best known for starring in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, performed an original song at the ceremony that name-checked various Best Actress nominees including Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh. After the performance was widely mocked online, DeBose deactivated her Twitter account.

On her Instagram account, which has remained active, DeBose has responded to various memes about the performance. In a post which refers to the line “Angela Bassett did the thing”, DeBose commented: “Honestly I love this.”

The post ‘Sherlock’ actor quits BAFTA over “toecurling” 2023 show appeared first on NME.

Ella Kemp

NME