Micheal Ward, who appeared in the BAFTA-winning series Top Boy, has arrived at Thames Magistrates’ Court in London to face rape and sexual assault allegations. The Netflix star, also known for roles in shows and films including Small Axe and Blue Story, is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. According to the Metropolitan Police, the alleged offences relate to one woman and are reported to have happened in January 2023. The 27-year-old denies the charges and added that he had cooperated with police fully throughout their investigation.

Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, whose team is leading the police investigation, said at the time: “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.”

Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South Catherine Baccas shared: “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.”

Ward’s first on-screen appearance came in 2016 in the movie Brotherhood. But it wasn’t until 2019 when he shot to fame in the Netflix hit series, Top Boy.

He also starred in the Sam Mendes film Empire of Light, which includes Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman.

In 2020, he was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Ward was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in Small Axe in 2021.

His most recent credited role was in the film Eddington, which also stars Oscar winners Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone.

In 2024, he appeared in The Beautiful Game, a film about an English homeless football team. He also played Vinny in the Bob Marley biopic One Love as ‘The Shooter’.