Sony Pictures Classics Takes U.S. & Multiple Int’l Territories On Tourette Syndrome Campaigner Biopic ‘I Swear’

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in the U.S., Latin America, most of Eastern Europe, Turkey, Southeast Asia, Portugal and South Korea on UK box office breakout I Swear by BAFTA nominee Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine, Nanny McPhee).

The comedic biopic is inspired by the life story of Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson, who famously involuntarily shouted “F*** the Queen” at the ceremony in which he received an honorary MBE for his work raising awareness about the condition.

Davidson is played by Robert Aramayo (The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Game of Thrones) with support from three-time BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake (Funny Cow, The Theory of Everything), BAFTA winner Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy) and Cannes Best Actor Award winner and Golden Lion winner Peter Mullan (War Horse, The Magdalene Sisters).

The acquisition follows the film’s buzzy premiere at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival, and its success at the UK box office, where it came in third in its opening weekend on October 10 and earned an impressive 100% from critics and audiences alike on Rotten Tomatoes.

The news also comes just a day after Deadline tipped I Swear as a movie ripe for an international career in its Global Breakouts column. Read the report here.

Set within 1980s Britain, the film, also written by Jones, charts Davidson’s Tourette’s diagnosis at the age of 15 years old, through his troubled teens and early adulthood. At the same time, it explores this little known and entirely misunderstood condition, along with his attempts to live a ‘normal’ life against the odds.

The production worked closely with the Tourette’s community, casting individuals who live with Tourette’s, and collaborated with a Tourette’s charity.

The feature is produced by Jones, Georgia Bayliff and Piers Tempest, for One Story High and Tempo Productions. Cindy Jones and John Davidson serve as Executive Producers.

“I am thrilled to partner with Sony Pictures Classics on I Swear. Their history, vision, ambition and passion for what is a very special project for us, feels like a perfect fit for US and additional territories,” said Jones.

Producer Tempest added: “We are delighted that I Swear is resonating so much with audiences in the United Kingdom and can’t think of better partners than Sony Pictures Classics to bring the film to US audiences and beyond.”

Sony Pictures Classic described the film as “a one-of-a-kind, true-to-life movie.”

“Many will identify as I Swear explores conquering an entirely misunderstood condition, by a young man and the people around him. Directed to perfection by Kirk Jones with amazing performances by Robert Aramayo and stalwarts Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson and Peter Mullan, I Swear will be adored by audiences everywhere,” said the company in a statement.

The deal was negotiated between Sony Pictures Classics and Bankside Films on behalf of the filmmakers.