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Russell Brand documentary to air on Netflix November 13

New film 'Russell Brand: Open Secret' will cover his rise, fall, and criminal conviction.

Reporting desk London Crime News Desk||3 min read|London Crime News
Russell Brand documentary to air on Netflix November 13Incident → evidence → outcome
Russell Brand documentary to air on Netflix November 13London Crime News

Netflix will release a new documentary titled 'Russell Brand: Open Secret' on November 13, 2026. The film will chart the career of comedian Russell Brand, detailing his rise to international fame, his subsequent fall from public favour, and his criminal trial. The documentary comes after Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault.

Brand, aged 51, was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his career. Accusations against him include exploiting his celebrity status to target women. The documentary will incorporate insights from individuals familiar with his career and utilise archive footage to explore his downfall.

Investigation and Conviction

The film is also set to cover the Dispatches investigation broadcast by Channel 4 in September 2023, in conjunction with The Times and Sunday Times. This investigation prompted the women to come forward with complaints, leading to the four convictions against Brand. The documentary is directed by Olivia Isaacs and produced by 72 Films, known for 'Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story'.

'Russell Brand: Open Secret' will trace Brand's rapid ascent from television presenter and comedian to a Hollywood actor, appearing in films such as 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall', 'Hop', and the 'Despicable Me' franchise. His career also saw him gain prominence through his marriage to singer Katy Perry and his subsequent media appearances on television, radio, stage, and podcasts.

The documentary will further explore Brand's transition into a political commentator and YouTuber in the early 2020s, where he became known for promoting conspiracy theories. The narrative then follows his criminal proceedings at Southwark Crown Court.

At Southwark Crown Court, Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, affecting four victims. He is expected to serve two-thirds of his 10 and a half year prison sentence before release on licence. He will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

The report by The Standard also noted that fellow comedian David Walliams was named in a separate investigation by The Guardian and ITV News shortly after Brand's sentencing. Walliams faces accusations of sexual misconduct and grooming teenagers, which he denies. The convictions and subsequent media attention have prompted discussions regarding safeguarding procedures within the television industry.

Reader briefing

Questions this report answers

Q/A
01What is the new documentary about Russell Brand called?

The new documentary about Russell Brand is titled 'Russell Brand: Open Secret'. It will cover his rise to fame, his fall from grace, and his criminal trial and conviction.

02When will the Russell Brand documentary be released?

The documentary 'Russell Brand: Open Secret' is scheduled to be released on Netflix on November 13, 2026. This date marks the planned release of the film for viewers.

03What was Russell Brand convicted of?

Russell Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault against four victims at Southwark Crown Court. He received a sentence of 10 and a half years in prison.

04What are the consequences of Russell Brand's conviction?

Following his conviction, Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison. He will also be required to remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

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