British actor Micheal Ward has been formally charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, according to a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police on Friday.
The charges stem from alleged incidents involving a single woman that reportedly took place in January 2023. The 27-year-old actor is set to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court in London on August 28.
As reported by the Associated Press, Ward rose to fame with his breakthrough role in the acclaimed film Blue Story. He has since starred in major productions including The Book of Clarence and the newly released political satire Eddington.
In 2020, Micheal Ward won the prestigious Rising Star award at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), a highlight of his acting career. He was later shortlisted for a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light, and received additional acclaim for his role in Small Axe, a BBC anthology series directed by Steve McQueen.
As the court case continues, both the entertainment industry and public in general wait further developments. As the legal proceedings unfold, both the entertainment industry and the public await further developments. The charges mark a troubling turn in Ward’s promising career. His representatives and legal team have not yet issued any statements.
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With inputs from Associated Press