Top Boy actor Micheal Ward has been charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault by London's Metropolitan Police force.
According to BBC News, the 27-year-old BAFTA-winning actor has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in January 2023. He is expected to appear in court on August 28. Ward has denied the allegations in a statement (via The Guardian).
"I deny the charges against me entirely. I have cooperated fully with the police throughout their investigation and will continue to cooperate," he said. "I recognize 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 identity of the woman has remained anonymous. "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," said Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who is leading the investigation into the allegations.
Deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, Catherine Baccas, said that authorities have "carefully reviewed a file of evidence" and authorized the five charges against him.
She added: "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."
Ward had his breakthrough role as Jamie in the popular British series Top Boy, joining the cast when it was resurrected by Netflix in 2019. He received the Rising Star Award at the 2020 BAFTAs and was later nominated for the TV BAFTAs Best Supporting Actor award for his appearance in Small Axe: Lovers Rock.
Most recently, Ward garnered acclaim for his role in Ari Aster's COVID-19 satire Eddington, starring opposite the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone.