In brief
In a significant legal development, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced multiple sexual assault charges against Russell Brand, which include two counts of rape stemming from incidents involving four women between the years of 1999 and 2005.
Russell Brand in London in 2023. Credit...James Manning/Press Association, via Getty Images By Alex Marshall Reporting from London April 4, 2025 Updated 9:42 a.m. ET Prosecutors in the United Kingdom have charged actor and comedian Russell Brand with a series of sexual assault offenses, including two counts of rape. The announcement was made by the Crown Prosecution Service on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in an ongoing investigation into Brand’s conduct.Jaswant Narwal, a prosecutor, issued a statement indicating that Brand is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on May 2 for an initial hearing. The legal charges pertain to reported incidents of non-recent offenses that occurred between 1999 and 2005, involving four different women.The inquiry into Brand’s past behavior commenced in September 2023, following a comprehensive investigation conducted by three media organizations that brought several allegations against him to light. While representatives for Brand have not issued a statement regarding the charges, the comedian has consistently denied any acts of sexual assault.In September, he released a video on social media, asserting that he was undergoing intense scrutiny from the British media, which he described as a "litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks." Brand acknowledged his past sexual promiscuity but insisted that all encounters were consensual.Brand rose to fame in Britain during the 2000s through his acclaimed stand-up performances, which frequently tackled themes of drugs and sexuality. He gained international recognition for his roles in films such as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him to the Greek," and also garnered attention from his brief marriage to pop star Katy Perry.This story is developing, and updates will continue to emerge as more information becomes available. Alex Marshall is a Times reporter covering European culture, based in London.
