British actor Micheal Ward has been released on bail following his appearance at a central London court where he faced charges of rape and sexual assault. Ward, known for his role as Jamie in the Netflix series “Top Boy,” is facing two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The charges came to light last month, with the alleged incidents involving one woman said to have occurred in January 2023.
During a brief hearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court, Ward provided his personal details but did not enter any pleas. He has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court in northeast London on September 25. Among the conditions of his bail is the requirement not to contact the alleged victim.
While Ward has denied the allegations, he expressed confidence that his innocence will be proven in court. The Metropolitan Police have stated their ongoing support for the woman involved.
Apart from his role in “Top Boy,” Ward has also appeared in films such as “Blue Story,” “The Book of Clarence,” and the recently released American political satire “Eddington,” starring alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. In 2020, he received the Rising Star award at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) and was nominated for acting BAFTAs for “Empire of Light” and the TV series “Small Axe,” directed by Steve McQueen.