Russell Brand Faces Rape and Assault Charges in 2 Countries

Ron Johnson being interviewed by Russell Brand during the 2024 Republican National Convention. Photo courtesy of the Office of Senator Ron Johnson. Public domain.

Once known as a wild-haired provocateur on British radio airwaves and in films like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," Russell Brand cultivated a reputation as a charming if chaotic comic. Now, his name is in the headlines again — this time, not for box office success or political commentary, but for serious criminal charges that cast him in a very different light.

The Charges in the UK

On April 4, 2025, London's Metropolitan Police announced that Brand, 49, had been officially charged with five offenses involving four women: one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The allegations stem from incidents that took place between 1999 and 2005 across several parts of England, according to PEOPLE.

The comedian is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 2. Police emphasized that the investigation remains active and encouraged others who may have relevant information to come forward.

The US Civil Case

Parallel to the criminal proceedings in the U.K., Brand is also facing a civil sexual assault lawsuit in New York. The lawsuit, filed by a woman only identified as Jane Doe, alleges Brand exposed himself and sexually assaulted her on the set of the 2011 film "Arthur," filmed in Los Angeles.

According to Jane Doe's affidavit, Brand allegedly smelled of alcohol and carried vodka while allegedly exposing himself in full view of everyone on the set. Later that day, she claims, he assaulted her while a crew member stood guard outside a door, Rolling Stone reported. Brand denies the allegations. Warner Bros.^®, which is named as a co-defendant, has agreed to submit up to eight hours of outtake footage from the set as potential evidence.

Brand's Response

Brand has publicly denied all allegations. According to PEOPLE, in a video posted to social media before charges were filed, he said, "I've received two extremely disturbing letters, or a letter and an email, one from a mainstream media TV company, one from a newspaper, listing a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks ... But amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute."

Brand also said that "the relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual. I was always transparent about that then — almost too transparent. And I'm being transparent about it now as well. And to see that transparency metastasized into something criminal, that I absolutely deny."

Following the emergence of the allegations in 2023 — revealed in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 — several of Brand's professional relationships were severed. His literary agent dropped him, charity partners distanced themselves, and several of his stand-up shows were postponed.

While the Los Angeles Police Department has not opened a criminal case, Brand's lawyer, Mark Cuccaro, said that he had a "reasonable belief criminal prosecution is possible in the U.S. based on allegations tantamount to criminal sexual misconduct occurring in the U.S., of which he has been falsely accused both by this civil plaintiff and several others through the media," according to PEOPLE.

The Road Ahead

Russell Brand's trial in the U.K. begins May 2. Meanwhile, the New York civil case is moving forward after a judge declined Brand's request to delay proceedings. Whether or not the charges lead to convictions, the legal entanglements have already left a lasting imprint on the comedian's career and public image.

References: People: Russell Brand Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault | People: Russell Brand Could Face U.S. Charges | Rolling Stone: Warner Bros. May Unveil 'Arthur' Outtakes | NPR: Russell Brand Is Charged with Rape and Assault in U.K.