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USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Michael Ward, 'Top Boy' actor, charged with rape in UK
Michael Ward, the BAFTA-winning actor best known for his performance in "Top Boy," has been charged with several counts of sexual assault and rape following an investigation. Ward, 27, a native of the United Kingdom, was charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, a July 25 release from the country's Metropolitan Police confirmed. The assaults are connected to one woman, and allegedly took place in January 2023, authorities say. Ward is scheduled to appear at the Thames Magistrates' Court in the U.K. on Thursday, Aug. 28. USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Ward for comment. "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," Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, whose team is leading the investigation, said in the release. An ex-model who crossed over into acting, Ward first graced the big screen in 2016 with "Brotherhood." His big break came with television roles, however, both in "The A-List" and Netflix's "Top Boy." Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward shine in Sam Mendes' 'Empire of Light' He also scored the leading role in 2019's "Blue Story," a split-screen film that follows two friends whose relationship is challenged by dangerous gang violence. Ward won a BAFTA for his performance. In 2022, he also starred alongside Olivia Colman and Colin Firth in "Empire of Light," a critically acclaimed film that earned both a Golden Globe and Academy Award nod. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: (4673) and and en Español
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Micheal Ward? Top Boy star charged with rape and sexual assault
Micheal Ward has been charged with rape and sexual assault, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Top Boy actor has been charged with three counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape, London's Metropolitan Police confirmed. The charges against the 27-year-old relate to one woman and the offences reportedly took place in January 2023, per the outlet. The actor, who was last seen in Ari Aster's film Eddington, will appear at London's Thames Magistrates Court on August 28. Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault(Getty Images via AFP) Micheal Ward charged with rape: What police said? In a statement, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, whose team is leading the investigation, confirmed that specialist officers continue to support the victim who has come forward, per the outlet. Catherine Baccas, CPS London South's deputy chief crown prosecutor, also commented on the matter. '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,' she said. Also Read: Who is Harvey Weinstein? Disgraced producer found guilty of sexual assault again Baccas added that the suspect has the right to a fair trial and that the proceedings against him were active. She reminded that no information sharing online, reporting, or commentary should be done that could prejudice the proceedings. Who is Micheal Ward? The 27-year-old Jamaican-born star is best known for his role in Netflix's Top Boy. Ward was given the British Academy's rising star award in 2020. Two years later, the Cheshunt resident starred in Sam Mendes' Empire of Light, which earned him a BAFTA nomination for supporting actor. Ward was also part of Ari Aster's latest neo-Western black comedy Eddington. He played the role of a police officer. The 27-year-old had attended the Cannes red carpet for the premiere of the film alongside Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler. FAQs: 1. What has Micheal Ward been charged with? He has been charged with two counts of rape and three counts of assault. 2. When will Micheal Ward appear before court? The Top Boy actor will appear in court on August 28. 3. What was Micheal Ward's last film? Ward was part of Ari Aster's Eddington alongside Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Austin Butler.
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Top Boy actor Michael Ward charged with two counts of rape
The offences relate to one woman and are reported to have taken place in January 2023. Ward is known for playing Jamie in the third and fourth series of the crime drama TV series Top Boy. He has also appeared in films such as Empire of Light, Blue Story, The Old Guard, The Beautiful Game and Eddington. Top Boy actor Micheal Ward, 27, has been charged with rape and sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police. For his work, he has been nominated for a BAFTA twice, in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for Empire of Light, and for Lovers Rock, which is one of the films in the Small Axe collection from Steve McQueen. He also won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020, which acknowledges new talents in the acting industry. In a statement, Catherine Baccas, 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. "He will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 28 August 2025. "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 anyway prejudice these proceedings." The Met's Det Supt Scott Ware 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 Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Top Boy actor Michael Ward charged with two counts of rape
Ward is known for playing Jamie in the third and fourth series of the crime drama TV series Top Boy. He has also appeared in films such as Empire of Light, Blue Story, The Old Guard, The Beautiful Game and Eddington. Top Boy actor Micheal Ward, 27, has been charged with rape and sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police. — LBC News (@LBCNews) July 25, 2025 For his work, he has been nominated for a BAFTA twice, in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for Empire of Light, and for Lovers Rock, which is one of the films in the Small Axe collection from Steve McQueen. He also won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020, which acknowledges new talents in the acting industry. In a statement, Catherine Baccas, 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. "He will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 28 August 2025. "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 anyway prejudice these proceedings." The Met's Det Supt Scott Ware 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."
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Eddington' actor Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault
British actor Micheal Ward, best known for his breakout role in Netflix's Top Boy and acclaimed appearances in Empire of Light and Eddington, has been formally charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, according to the Metropolitan Police. The alleged offences involve one woman and are reported to have occurred in January 2023. Ward, 27, from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, is scheduled to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London on August 28, 2025. Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who is leading the investigation, stated that the Met's specialist officers are continuing to support the woman involved. 'We know investigations of this nature can have a significant impact on those who make reports,' Ware said in a statement. Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed a file of evidence and authorized the charges. 'Micheal Ward has been charged with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault,' she said. Baccas also emphasized the importance of a fair trial, reminding the public not to share content or commentary that could prejudice the proceedings. Ward rose to prominence for his role as Jamie in Top Boy, which ran from 2013 to 2022. In 2020, he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award and later earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Steve McQueen's Lovers Rock. Most recently, he appeared in the Cannes-premiering film Eddington, alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone. Ward has not publicly commented on the charges. Legal proceedings are now active, and further developments will unfold in court.
