Top Boy star Micheal Ward has been granted bail after appearing in a London court this morning, charged with rape and sexual assault.
Ward appeared at Thames Magistrates Court. He arrived at today’s hearing wearing a black sweatshirt and jacket with sunglasses. He spoke to confirm his name, address, and date of birth, the BBC reported. But he was not required to submit a plea.
Ward was charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault in July. London’s Metropolitan Police has said the alleged offenses relate to one woman and are reported to have taken place in January 2023.
Scott Ware, the Met detective leading the 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.”
Ward was quickly dropped by UK agency Olivia Bell Management after the charges were made public. When Deadline contacted the agency at the time, an employee said: “We no longer represent him.” Ward’s U.S. agent is CAA.
In a statement after he was charged, Ward denied the accusations and said he was fully cooperating with police.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Ward first earned widespread recognition for his leading role in the Netflix series Top Boy. He played the role of Jamie opposite Kano and Ashley Walters. Ward then went on to star in feature projects like Blue Story, The Old Guard, and Empire of Light. In 2020, he received BAFTA’s EE Rising Star Award. His most recent big screen credit is Ari Aster’s Eddington, which debuted at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Press Association reported that Ward will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court next month.
