Top Boy actor Micheal Ward breaks silence after being charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against a woman
The 27-year-old actor and model, who has starred in a string of hit movies alongside stars including Olivia Colman, Colin Firth and Joaquin Phoenix, is accused of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The alleged offences relate to one woman and are claimed to have taken place in January 2023.
But Ward said in a statement: 'I deny the charges against me entirely. I have co-operated fully with the police throughout their investigation and will continue to co-operate.
'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.'
The Jamaican-born British star is best known for his role of Jamie in Top Boy and appeared in 19 episodes of the gritty Netflix drama between 2013 and 2022.
Ward during the 'Eddington' photocall at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2025
Jamaican dancehall singer Popcaan and Micheal Ward attend The Unruly City Splash after party hosted by Popcaan at The Aubrey on May 26, 2025
Micheal Ward and Austin Butler attend the 'Eddington' red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival in May
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, whose team is leading the Met Police's 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 Crown Prosecution Services authorised the five charges this afternoon.
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, August 28.
'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 Jamaican-born star has enjoyed a great rise to fame since scooping the EE Rising Star BAFTA award in 2020
The Jamaican-born star has enjoyed a great rise to fame since scooping the EE Rising Star BAFTA award in 2020 for his part as Jamie in Top Boy, the much-praised Netflix series.
He beat Jack Lowden, Awkwafina, Kaitlyn Dever and Kelvin Harrison Jr. to win the prestigious honour.
That year he was also named in Forbes' 30 under 30 list of the UK's biggest young stars.
As well as starring as Jamie in Top Boy, he also featured in TV series The A List, portraying the character of Brendan.
The actor has also bagged roles in Small Axe, The Book Of Clarence and Sam Mendes' Empire Of Light, in which his character Stephen enjoys an age-gap relationship with Olivia Colman's character Hilary.
He was nominated for the Bafta Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in BBC's Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light.
Last year, Micheal took on a lead role alongside film legend Bill Nighy in sports drama The Beautiful Game.
This year he was at Cannes and the Paris film festivals to promote 'Eddington', starring him Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone.
He also appeared in the Sam Mendes drama Empire of Light for which he was nominated for the Bafta Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The inside story of how Andy Farrell turned the Lions into record-breakers: NIK SIMON reveals the secrets of head coach's success from Bono to boxing - and how he 'pushes players' buttons'
Early on Tuesday morning, Andy Farrell asked one of his coaches to head over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to arrange a Squid Game set on the Lions' training pitch. The Lions have been on the road for almost two months and this was one of the coach's ways of freshening things up as he approaches the last few days of the tour. A sudden-death shootout, on some school playing fields, based on the Korean Netflix blockbuster. Your browser does not support iframes.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
New Pride & Prejudice series has Netflix fans threatening to BOYCOTT: 'You cannot be serious'
Netflix has sparked uproar after releasing a first look at the casting for the new Pride & Prejudice series - with some fans now threatening to boycott the steamer altogether. The six-part series follows the classic love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy straight from Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. Both the 1995 BBC series and the 2005 film adaptation are beloved by literature readers and film buffs alike. But this latest recreation appears to already be upsetting fans. Earlier today, Netflix took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a cast picture of the Bennet family women on set. 'We know you've been yearning for a sneak peek. Pride & Prejudice is officially in production,' the post read. 'Here's a first look featuring Emma Corrin, Freya Mavor, Olivia Colman, Hopey Parish, Rhea Norwood, and Hollie Avery as the Bennet women.' Emma Corrin is set to star as the witty Elizabeth Bennet, while Jack Lowden takes on the brooding role of Mr. Darcy, and Olivia Colman plays the nervous Mrs. Bennet. But fans immediately rushed to the comments to express their distaste at the prospect as one wrote: 'Not to self: unsubscribe from Netflix immediately, today,' someone wrote. 'This casting is awful what the f**k,' another added. 'You cannot be serious,' someone else said. 'Oh help… praying this isn't a cock up like Persuasion. 'Actually scratch that… this is a reminder to me to unsubscribe,' another shared. Other members of the cast include Rufus Sewell as Mr. Bennet, Freya Mavor as Jane Bennet, Jamie Demetriou as Mr. Collins, Daryl McCormack as Mr. Bingley, and Louis Partridge as Mr. Wickham, per Variety. More actors include Rhea Norwood as Lydia Bennet, Siena Kelly as Caroline Bingley, and Fiona Shaw as Lady Catherine de Bourg. Hopey Parish and Hollie Avery are making their acting debuts as Mary Bennet and Kitty Bennet respectively. The director and screenwriter of Heartstopper, Euros Lyn and Dolly Alderton, respectively, are taking on the series. 'Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story, and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it,' Alderton said in a statement, per the outlet. 'Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy – it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life.' The limited series will finish filming in the UK at the end of 2025, per What's On Netflix.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Kate Moss, 51, puts on a leggy display in a skimpy green dress as she poses with actress Chloë Sevigny, 50, in very sultry swimming pool shoot for Yves Saint Laurent campaign
Kate Moss put on a very leggy display in a lime green dress in a shoot for Yves Saint Laurent's Fall 2025 campaign. The supermodel, 51, proved she's still got it as she flaunted her age-defying figure in the sexy shoot. Kate was joined by American actress and director Chloë Sevigny, 50, along with model Frankie Rayder. Mother-of-one Kate, whose daughter is model Lila Moss, 22, posed for very sultry swimming pool shots with Chloe. Chloe, who most recently starred in Netflix 's Monster, placed her hand beneath Kate's cleavage as they floated in the water. American model Frankie, 50, confidently stripped off for one shot while posing under a blanket. The sexy shoot saw Kate, Chloe and Frankie film in the heart of Los Angeles for the AW25 campaign. Kate was also seen reclining behind the wheel of a convertible in a faux fur coat and sunglasses. Being a renowned supermodel, she'd know a thing or two about fashion. So it's no surprise Kate has taken it upon herself to 'police' poorly dressed pedestrians. 'I like going, 'What are they thinking?'' she admits. 'I don't want to be judgy, but you know when you're like, 'Nee naw, nee naw, fashion police!'' According to Daily Mail's Richard Eden, Kate added: 'It was the weirdest look. She had a pork-pie hat, a yellow Chanel backpack, tights, leather shorts, a yellow Nike high top trainer. 'I pulled them over and said, 'Where are you from?' They said France. They're definitely not from Paris, that's for sure.' Kate recently sparked concern among her fanbase after being filmed looking 'fraught' and 'on edge' as she sat front row at Paris Fashion Week. Kate was thought to have given up alcohol back in 2017 in favour of juice fasts and reformer Pilates, even selling her own range of teas and skincare products through her beauty and wellness brand, Cosmoss. She also posed in sexy white lace lingerie in another frame American model Frankie Rayder (pictured), 50, confidently stripped off for one shot while posing under a blanket The sexy shoot saw Kate, Chloe and Frankie film in the heart of Los Angeles for the AW25 campaign And while she has long struggled to give up her nicotine habit, just two years ago Kate - once hailed the 'greatest smoker of all time' - was seen puffing away on a vape in an attempt to give up the cigarettes. Back in January, Kate was reportedly planning a huge boozy birthday bash to celebrate her 51st birthday following her split from boyfriend of nine years, Nikolai von Bismarck, 38. Kate, who lived in the Cotswolds with teetotal photographer Nikolai, apparently decided at the time that she 'wants to let her hair down' to mark her birthday with her famous pals. A source told The Sun: 'Last year, she celebrated her 50th at an intimate soiree in Paris, which was fairly pared down. 'But a lot has changed since then and Kate has said she wants this party to be like turning over a new leaf. 'Now that her daughter Lila is all grown up and she is single again, Kate feels like she wants to let her hair down and be carefree — which is not something she's been able to do for a long time. 'She is looking on the bright side of life. Although it's sad her relationship is over, she is throwing herself back into her social life and embracing the new year.' She went on to start her new chapter celebrating her 51st birthday at A-list restaurant China Tang at The Dorchester before continuing her night until the early hours at The Globe in London's Notting Hill.
