News Americas, LONDON, UK, Fri. Sept. 26, 2025: British actor, writer, and filmmaker Noel Clarke, whose parents hail from Trinidad and Grenada, was arrested Thursday, September 25th, just weeks after losing a high-profile libel case against The Guardian.

FLASHBACK – Noel Clarke, former Doctor Who actor, arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on 29th January 2025 in London, United Kingdom. His lawyers were applying for Guardian News and Media’s defence to his libel claim to be struck out in advance of a full trial expected to be held in March. (photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Clarke’s London home was searched for several hours, with officers leaving the property carrying seized items. The reason for his arrest has not been publicly disclosed.

Clarke, 49, is best known internationally for his role as Mickey Smith in the Doctor Who revival (2005–2010) and for writing, directing, and starring in the critically acclaimed “Hood Trilogy” films Kidulthood (2006), Adulthood (2008), and Brotherhood (2016), which spotlighted the lives of working-class Black British youth. He has been credited with bringing authentic depictions of Britain’s inner-city communities to mainstream cinema and television.

But in recent years, Clarke’s career has been overshadowed by scandal. In 2021, 26 women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying, and verbal abuse. While Clarke denied the allegations, BAFTA suspended his Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award and his membership.

In April 2025, Clarke’s six-week libel trial against The Guardian concluded with Justice Steyn of the High Court ruling that the paper’s reporting on the allegations was “substantially true” and “in the public interest.” Clarke was ordered to pay an interim £3 million towards the publisher’s legal costs, with a final amount expected to exceed £6 million. Clarke expressed disappointment after the loss, stating that the reporting contained inaccuracies and damaged his career and family. 

He maintained that he was not the person described in the articles but admitted he was not perfect, though he vowed to continue fighting the judgment. In his 2021 initial response to the allegations of sexual misconduct, he had sincerely apologized for any discomfort but vehemently denied all allegations of misconduct and intended to defend himself against the false claims. 

The Thursday September 25th arrest marks the latest chapter in the ongoing fallout from the case. Police have not released further details about whether the arrest is connected to the civil judgment or to any new criminal investigation.

Clarke, born in London to Trinidadian parents Gemma and Alf Clarke, has frequently spoken about how his Caribbean heritage shaped his storytelling. In a 2018 episode of the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?, Clarke traced his family roots to Trinidad, Saint Vincent, and Grenada.

The actor has not yet issued a statement regarding his arrest.

FAST FACTS ABOUT CLARKE

He is among the 25 actors to have acted in both the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises.

Voted Best Male Guest Actor by readers of Doctor Who Magazine for his appearances in the 2006 Season.

He was awarded BAFTA’s Orange Rising Star Award in 2009.

Third son born October 2015.

He was awarded the 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Most Promising Newcomer of 2002 for his performance in “Where Do We Live” at the Royal Court Theatre.

His top quotes

“I’m just who I am. I don’t try to change myself for other people.”

“I’d always much rather be second choice on anything because it makes you work harder.”

“I wouldn’t say that I’m a jack-of-all-trades, master of none, but I wouldn’t say that I’m brilliant at any.”

“I think it’s important that we have a new batch of British film-makers that aren’t doing the same old stuff. And that includes me.”

“I just started to write because I was fed up of not seeing the stories that I wanted, so I was like ‘Stop moaning and write something.”

“I don’t like doing things that are too easy.”

“I couldn’t tell you the ratio, but probably for every job you see me do, there would be 20 rejections.”

“I think that’s important for all ages, to not be afraid of being an individual. I grew up on my own, as an only child, so early on I think I was quite capable of making decisions by myself and being an individual.”

“I don’t think I’m egotistical, and I know what my limits are: I’m a black guy who’s probably losing his hair. But I’m happy to play roles that I’m given, and I’m happy to play roles that I write.”