Bafta-nominated actor Micheal Ward has been charged with rape and sexual assault.
The 27-year-old, who has starred in Blue Story and Top Boy, said “I deny the charges against me entirely” and said he had co-operated with police fully throughout their investigation.
Ward is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force said he is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, will appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on August 28, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
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.”
Following the charges, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware 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 Jamaican-born actor was awarded the Bafta Rising Star honour in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Bafta for his role in BBC’s Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light.
Ward, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge last year and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023.
He is due to star in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which is due to be released in the UK next month.
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