Jamaican-born, BAFTA-winning actor Micheal Ward has been charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police announced. The charges relate to an alleged incident involving one woman in January 2023.
Ward, 27, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, is best known for his roles in Top Boy, Blue Story, and Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock. He is expected to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London on August 28.
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.”
Ward issued a statement following the announcement: “I deny the charges against me entirely. I have cooperated fully with the police throughout their investigation and will continue to cooperate. I recognise that proceedings are now ongoing, and I have full faith that they will lead to my name being cleared. Given those proceedings, I am unable to comment further.”
Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, confirmed the charges: “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,” she added.
Ward was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, to then 18-year-old mother Keisha. His father died in a car crash when he was two years old. At age four, he moved with his mother and sister to Hackney, east London, with support from his aunt and uncle, who operated a Caribbean restaurant in Chadwell Heath.
He first appeared on screen in the TV series Brotherhood, but rose to prominence playing Jamie in Top Boy from 2013 to 2022. In 2020, he received the BAFTA Rising Star Award, and the following year was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Lovers Rock. He also starred in Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light and is set to appear in the upcoming pandemic-era western Eddington, due for release in the UK next month.
