Russell Brand Rape Trial Begins in London
British actor faces charges of rape and sexual assault by six women, with jury selection concluded.
A London rape trial against British comedian and actor Russell Brand is set to commence Wednesday, with opening statements expected as the actor faces allegations of sexually assaulting six women. The jury of eight men and four women was selected Monday and Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court in Central London.
Brand, 51, is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 1999 and 2009.
Prosecutors have previously alleged that Brand raped a woman in a hotel room during a Labour Party conference, assaulted a television worker in a bathroom, and kissed and grabbed a radio station worker. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that all his sexual encounters were consensual.
The charges against Brand have expanded since he was initially indicted in May 2025 with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault stemming from alleged incidents in 1999 and 2005. Additional charges were filed later, connected to alleged assaults of two other women in London in 2009.
The trial is anticipated to last between six and 10 weeks. Brand, who has been free on bail, was accompanied to court by his wife, Laura Gallacher. The couple has been married for nine years and has three children, with Brand having shifted his career focus to podcasting.
Brand, known for his roles in films like "Get Him to the Greek" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," rose to prominence in the 2000s as a television host and actor. He was previously married to singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.
Under British law, the identities of victims of sexual abuse are protected from public disclosure for life.