Russell Brand Arrives at London Court to Face Rape and Sexual Assault Charges
Russell Brand arrived at London's Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday after being charged with rape and sexual assault.
The disgraced comedian's first hearing took place after it was confirmed last month that the U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge a man, identified as 49-year-old Brand, following an investigation by detectives.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Ed Sheeran Sets 'Play' Release Date, Drops Second Single "Old Phone"
Gal Gadot, Matthias Schoenaerts to Star in World War II Thriller 'Ruin' for Director Niki Caro
'Still Pushing Pineapples' to Open Sheffield DocFest
Brand has been charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault.
The crimes he has been charged with relate to a 1999 rape in the Bournemouth area of the U.K.; a 2001 indecent assault of a woman in Westminster, London; the 2004 oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in Westminster, London; and between 2004 and 2005, the sexual assault of a woman in Westminster, London.
When the formal charges were released, Brand, who has turned to Christianity and been baptized since widespread allegations came to light, responded to the charges in a video shared on his social media, stating: 'I've never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.'
Detectives began investigating in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times.
The program aired extensive allegations against Brand. One of the women told Dispatches that Brand entered a relationship with her when he was 31 and she was 16. Their relationship lasted three months, she had said, and Brand had been 'emotionally abusive and controlling.' Another claimed that Brand raped her in 2012 in his L.A. home, according to the Sunday Times.
The Briton denied all claims made against him, which date between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame working on Big Brother's Big Mouth, Kings of Comedy and Big Brother's Celebrity Hijack. A Banijay U.K.-commissioned investigation later found informal complaints concerning Brand were made over 20 years ago on set, and another review into Brand's behavior at the BBC, in particular between 2006 and 2008 when he worked for 6 Music and Radio 2, found that fellow employees believed he 'would always get his way, and therefore stayed silent' about his inappropriate conduct.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025
Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More
Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
a day ago
Jon Bernthal reported to join Tom Holland in upcoming 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'
Jon Bernthal could be set to return as the Punisher in "Spider‑Man: Brand New Day," the next installment in the Sony/Marvel Spider‑Man franchise, according to " The Hollywood Reporter." Directed by Shang‑Chi filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is scheduled to begin production in England this summer and is set for release on July 31, 2026, Sony announced via Instagram back in March. Bernthal previously portrayed Frank Castle in Netflix's "Daredevil and The Punisher," later reprising the role in "Daredevil: Born Again" on Disney+. While details remain under wraps, it is reported that the movie picks up after the events of "Spider‑Man: No Way Home," where the world's memory of Peter Parker's identity as Spider‑Man was erased. Tom Holland will return as Peter Parker, with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon expected to reprise their roles as MJ and Ned. The extent of their involvement has not been confirmed. "Stranger Things" star Sadie Sink and "The Bear" actress Liza Colón-Zayas are also joining the cast in undisclosed roles, according to IMDB. "Spider‑Man: Brand New Day" will be the fourth solo Spider‑Man film starring Tom Holland and the first directed by Cretton.
Epoch Times
a day ago
- Epoch Times
‘Come to the Stable': Blessed Bethlehem
NR | 1h 34m | Drama, Comedy | 1949 Director Henry Koster's breezy film 'Come to the Stable' (1949) draws on writer Clare Boothe Luce's story, believed to be loosely based on the real-life heroism of two nuns, American Benedict Russ and Frenchwoman, Mother Mary Aline Trilles de Warren. Both nuns immersed themselves in charitable work in France during World War II, then left Europe and, against heavy odds, set up America's first Benedictine monastery for women.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Jon Bernthal Returning as Punisher in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors According to a report from Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Bernthal will be reprising his role as Frank Castle AKA The Punisher in the highly-anticipated Marvel Studios film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." Jon Bernthal will return as The Punisher in 'SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY' (Source: — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 20, 2025 This will mark the first time that Bernthal has been featured in a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in Netflix's "The Punisher." Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in Netflix's "The Punisher." Netflix Previously, Bernthal has played Castle in various different live-action series like "Daredevil" and "The Punisher" on Netflix and "Daredevil: Born Again" on Disney+. Bernthal will be appearing alongside Tom Holland as the titular Spider-Man. More Entertainment: Thunderbolts* Gets New Digital Release Date – How To Watch Snydercut Subreddit Issues Statement After 'Superman' Review Bomb Controversy For more MCU and entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment. This story is currently being updated...
