Micheal Ward: Top Boy actor charged with rape and sexual assault
Ward, 27, who starred in the successful Netflix series Top Boy and appeared in films with Olivia Colman and Colin Firth, is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised charges against Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, whose team is leading the investigation, said: 'Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward — we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports.'
The actor and model will appear at Thames magistrates' court on August 28.
Catherine Baccas, the deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, said: 'Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Micheal Ward, 27, with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault against a woman in January 2023.
'We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
The actor, who was born in Jamaica, won the rising star Bafta award in 2020 for his role as Jamie in Top Boy. In 2021 he was nominated for the best supporting actor Bafta for Small Axe, a BBC anthology directed by Steve McQueen about West Indian migrants living in London.
He was nominated for the best actor Bafta in 2022 for his portrayal of Colman's young lover in Empire of Light. Last year he played a lead role alongside Bill Nighy in the sports drama The Beautiful Game.
Micheal Ward said he denies the charges of rape and sexual assault, adding in a statement: 'I recognise that proceedings are now ongoing, and I have full faith that they will lead to my name being cleared.'
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