Micheal Ward, the British actor recognized for his captivating performances, experienced a pivotal moment at the Cannes Film Festival that was originally set to take place five years ago. His earlier film Lovers Rock, a reggae-infused romance from Steve McQueen’s acclaimed Small Axe anthology, was selected for the 2020 festival. However, the event was canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, postponing his anticipated Cannes debut.
Ward’s actual first Cannes appearance came in 2025 with the premiere of Ari Aster’s satirical Western Eddington, released by A24. Alongside acclaimed actors Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone, Ward gained widespread attention and was honored with a breakthrough artist award presented by Aster and the Golden Globes, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Everything happens at the right time,
Ward reflected.
I feel like this experience of going to Cannes with these amazing people, while it was definitely surreal for me, was a moment that you should never forget. It was a really special feeling and a really special moment for myself.
Building a Varied Career During the Wait
The Ward who finally attended Cannes in 2025 is markedly different from the actor who missed the festival in 2020. In the ensuing five years, he has steadily constructed a diverse and impressive body of work. After winning the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2019 for his early roles in the London gangland drama Blue Story and the series Top Boy, Ward garnered a BAFTA TV nomination for Lovers Rock in 2021. In 2023, he earned another BAFTA nomination for his film role alongside Olivia Colman in Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light, a tribute to classic cinema.
Ward’s filmography further expanded with parts in Jeymes Samuel’s biblical comedy The Book of Clarence where he portrayed Judas, a role in Bob Marley: One Love, and the Netflix soccer drama The Beautiful Game. His role in Eddington represents another crucial step in his evolving career.
The Connection Between ‘Lovers Rock’ and ‘Eddington’ Casting
Ward’s involvement in Eddington came through an audition on Zoom for the role of Michael Cook, a newly appointed police officer stationed in small-town New Mexico. Cook operates under Joaquin Phoenix’s character—the sheriff whose reactionary views put him at odds with Pedro Pascal’s progressive mayor. Interestingly, Ward only later learned that Ari Aster had seen and admired his work in Lovers Rock.
I found out later on that Ari had watched ‘Lovers Rock’ and had loved me in that,
Ward revealed.
The film is challenging to categorize, blending broad satire, dark comedy, and sharp social commentary that critiques conspiracy theories, racial privilege, and gun culture in the United States.
If I’m being completely honest, I feel like even Ari didn’t know how to describe it,
Ward said.
He kind of just let us be decisive and divisive with how we felt about it. So we had loads of conversations about the character. And for me, what I try to bring to every role is authenticity.
Immersing in the Role of Michael Cook
Ward committed deeply to portraying the complexities of Michael Cook, a Black man serving as a police officer in a predominantly white small town. To prepare, he sought insights from Edwin Raymond, a civil rights activist and former New York police officer who had shared experiences with other filmmakers close to Ward’s circle. Raymond connected Ward to Black officers from small towns similar to the film’s setting, highlighting the distinct differences compared to large cities like New York.
Edwin told me lots of stuff about how it was for a Black officer when people were protesting in New York,
Ward explained. This preparation uncovered nuances such as the pressure for officers to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the police force in morally uncertain situations, and the realization that sheriff positions often depend more on popularity than policing experience.
While Ward has previously researched period pieces set in 1980 for Lovers Rock and Empire of Light, Eddington was his first modern-day project that demanded such focused character study.
That was a special journey with this character,
he reflected.
Learning from Working with Joaquin Phoenix
On set, Ward shared many scenes with Joaquin Phoenix, whose character eventually turns antagonistic toward his young recruit. Though Ward is generally unphased by meeting A-list stars, he felt fortunate his earliest interactions with Phoenix took place off-camera, allowing a more relaxed dynamic to develop.
He’s just cool… a cool cat. He cracks jokes and it was great to see that even someone at his level doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Ward was particularly inspired by Phoenix’s relentless work ethic, which extended even to supposed downtime.
He just always wanted to work. There was one weekend where he was like, ‘Well, nobody’s got anything to do so we can just rehearse,’
Ward recounted.
And if he wants to work, now I want to work.
Observing Phoenix’s craft taught Ward to bring fresh, distinct energy to each take.
While shooting, the main inspiration for Ward was watching Phoenix’s ability to come with something fresh and new with every take, so it never feels the same,
he said.
I feel like it’s so powerful to do that and it was the biggest thing that I took away, because he very seldom did the same thing twice.
Taking on a Lead Role in the Upcoming Revenge Thriller ‘Uncle’
Following this intense experience, Ward is now filming Uncle in Wales, a revenge thriller written and directed by Joe Marcantonio. The story centers on a teenage girl and her uncle, played by Ward, who seek violent vengeance after their family is brutally attacked. This project marks Ward’s first major lead role and is his most physically demanding to date.
During our interview, Ward described filming an action-packed sequence involving a high-speed car escape, likening the experience to that of a stuntman. The film offers a departure from Ward’s recent dramatic roles, returning instead to the gritty world reminiscent of his early work. He anticipates that fans of his breakout performances in Blue Story and Top Boy will appreciate this new project.
It’s exciting for me, because I feel like the movies that I’ve made recently have not really been for them, they were for my career,
Ward said.
But when I read the script for this I just thought, this is something that people who know me from ‘Top Boy’ and ‘Blue Story’ and that kind of world are going to love. I think it’ll be really sick.
The Significance of Ward’s Career Evolution
Micheal Ward’s journey reflects the resilience and persistence required to break through in the competitive film industry. His delayed Cannes appearance did not hinder his progress but rather provided additional time to develop a versatile and noteworthy career. By learning from legends like Joaquin Phoenix and choosing projects that deepen his craft, Ward continues to build momentum.
His upcoming work in Uncle may reconnect him with audiences drawn to his earlier raw and dynamic performances, while his ongoing collaborations and award recognitions highlight his rising stature. As Ward’s presence grows, his blend of authentic portrayals and inspirations from industry veterans like Phoenix position him as one of the most exciting talents of his generation.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Joaquin Phoenix a good Joker?
A. Pete Hammond from Deadline praised Phoenix’s “extraordinary” acting, calling it “dazzling, risky, and original.” David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter noted that Phoenix’s performance made the film a “must-see.” Rooney described how Phoenix played the character with a mix of pitiful and frightening insanity.
Q. Is Joaquin Phoenix vegan?
A. Joaquin Phoenix has followed a vegan lifestyle for most of his life and frequently uses his celebrity status to support animal rights causes.
Q. Is Joaquin Phoenix a good Joker?
A. To sum up, Phoenix delivers an amazing Joker performance, though he misses the elements of mischief, unpredictability, and grandeur.
Q. Is Joaquin Phoenix a vegan?
A. Besides acting, Phoenix actively supports animal rights. As a vegan, he often backs charity initiatives and has made documentaries about meat consumption’s environmental effects.
