Top Boy actor Micheal Ward charged with raping woman

Micheal Ward at the Eddington premiere, held at the DGA Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo / Earl Gibson III, Deadline via Getty Images

A Bafta-winning actor who starred in Netflix drama Top Boy is facing multiple sex assault and rape charges.

Micheal Ward, 27, played Jamie in the award-winning series, which depicted tensions between fictional London gangs.

On Friday (local time), the Metropolitan Police said Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was facing two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

All five offences are reported to have taken place in January 2023 and relate to the same woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, whose team is leading the Met’s investigation, said: “Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward – we know investigations of this nature can have a significant impact on those who make reports.”

Ward, who was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, moved to Hackney, east London, at the age of 4.

As well as receiving critical acclaim for his role in Top Boy in 2019, Ward also won a Bafta Rising Star award for his performance in the 2019 film Blue Story.

He stars in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which is due to be released in the UK next month.

Ward is set to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 28.

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.

“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.”

In a statement issued after the charges were announced, Ward said: “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.”