"I felt like there was definitely a lack of role

models, especially in the UK...I feel like the

earliest time when I actually thought, ‘Yeah,

I see myself. I feel like I can do this,’ was when

I watched Top Boy and Kidulthood. Top Boy

was obviously a series that I ended up doing

later in my career anyway. But when I watched

it, I was like these people talk like me, they look

like me, they feel like me, and they haven't

changed away from that. I can definitely relate

to these people and when you relate to something,

then it becomes more believable. It was definitely

hard to find role models, I feel like my role models

are still very much American. Like I told you, I still

hate that you done Graham Norton with Kevin Hart

but he is someone that I use as a role model in

order to believe that this is something that I can

do. I'm advocating for being that inspiration to the

youth, not only just for the youth. I do want to inspire

people that are older than me, and stuff like that.

But for me, it's about supporting the next generation

in believing that they can be someone great."

Micheal Ward is Hollywood’s new top boy. Starring

alongside Olivia Colman as Stephen in Sam Mendes’

Empire of Light, the 25-year-old actor shines in one

of his best performances yet. Covering our Winter

22 issue, he reunites with Olivia Colman to discuss

the alchemy of on-screen excellence, what success

means to him and representation on screen.

Micheal Ward wears Louis Vuitton

Photography by Buzz White at One Represents

Fashion by Toni Blaze Ibekwe
Interview by Olivia Colman

Grooming by Eyesha Yates

Barber Jose Figura

Set Builder George Lewin

Set Build Assistants Tash Middletitch, Anna Minchell and Casta Cullen

Editorial Director Huw Gwyther

Editor Ella Bardsley

Art Director Livia Vourlakidou

Production Director Ben Crank

Production Assistant Isabella Coleman

Production Intern Frankie Baumer

Photography Assistants Jack Snell and Freddie Hare

Styling Assistant Yasmin Williams

Fashion Intern Jess Miller