British actor Micheal Ward, widely known for his role as Jamie in Netflix’s Top Boy, has been charged with rape and sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police said on Friday.
The actor also made his name as one of the stars of cult hit Blue Story in 2019, and won the Rising Star prize at the Bafta Film Awards the following year.
Ward, 27, from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, is accused of two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. The charges relate to one woman and stem from an alleged incident in January 2023.
The actor is due to appear before Thames Magistrates’ Court in London on 28 August.
Ward rose to fame for his standout performance in Top Boy, which he starred in from 2019 to 2022. He also won the BAFTA Rising Star award in 2020 and has received critical acclaim for his roles in Small Axe and Empire of Light. He is set to appear in the upcoming US western drama Eddington, slated for UK release in August.
In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the charges following a review of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police.
“Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the CPS has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Micheal Ward with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault,” said Catherine Baccas, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South.
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware added:
“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 CPS stressed that Ward is entitled to a fair trial and urged the public and media to refrain from commentary that could prejudice the proceedings.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings,” Baccas said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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