Top Boy and Blue Story star Micheal Ward has been charged with rape and sexual assault.
Bafta-nominated actor Ward, 27, 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, he denied “the charges against me entirely”, adding: “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 has also starred in a string of hit movies alongside stars including Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone.
He 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.
Ward, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, also featured in TV series The A List, portraying the character of Brendan.
Last year, he took on a lead role alongside Bill Nighy in sports drama The Beautiful Game.
This year he was at Cannes and the Paris film festivals to promote Eddington with Phoenix and Stone.
He was named on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2020.
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 28 August 2025.
“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.”
