Netflix to Launch Documentary Series on Russell Brand Following Conviction
The streamer will spotlight Brand after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault last week. He was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison.
The documentary, produced by 72 Films, could be confirmed as early as tomorrow. Netflix declined to comment.
The project was referenced during Brand's trial. Mark Pinheiro, a former friend of Brand, testified that he had been approached by a producer about the Netflix show.
Netflix has a history of producing documentaries about high-profile British sex offenders, including Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story (2022).
News of the Brand project follows Netflix's decision not to remove the 2018 comedy show Russell Brand: Re:Birth, filmed at the Hackney Empire.
During the stand-up special, Brand discusses his sexual encounters, stating, "I’ve hardly been conservative with sperm... The real miracle is that one of them’s been allowed to germinate instead of being squandered in a stranger’s eyelashes."
While Russell Brand: Re:Birth remains on Netflix, the streamer will no longer actively promote the show after Brand's conviction.
A Netflix source explained, "We prioritize choice and control for our members... [including] recommendations and ratings."
Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault last week. The judge described him as a "sexual predator" whose fame protected him until 2023 when allegations were published. The judge commended the "determination and bravery" of the women who made complaints.