Jason Isaacs, Duke Clash Over TV T-Shirt Use

A controversy erupted after Jason Isaacs' character in HBO's The White Lotus season 3 wore a Duke University T-shirt during a scene involving suicidal ideation, leading Duke to object to the unauthorized use of its logo and claim misrepresentation. Isaacs, who suggested the Duke shirt for his character and believes the costume was cleared, responded to the criticism with humor and pledged to wear Duke apparel whenever possible. Supportive fans have given Isaacs more Duke T-shirts, and he dismissed the university's concerns as exaggerated. Commentators have noted that Duke's public objection may have unintentionally amplified the issue, illustrating the Streisand effect. Isaacs and others argued that actual alumni controversies deserve more focus than fictional portrayals. The incident has sparked debate about the balance between creative expression and institutional brand management.