The comedian and ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ star was convicted on four counts in London and remanded in custody ahead of sentencing Monday.
Russell Brand, the comedian and actor who went from British television to Hollywood comedies before reinventing himself as an online wellness and political personality, was convicted Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court in London. He was taken into custody ahead of sentencing on Monday, Nov. 9.
The jury, which reached its verdicts on its third day of deliberations after a three-week trial, found Brand, 51, not guilty of two further counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. The charges related to allegations made by women over a period from 1999 to 2009. Brand had denied all of the charges.
Mr. Justice Bennathan told Brand that “obviously a custodial sentence of some length will result,” and, after hearing submissions from both sides, denied his application to remain on bail. Brand did not visibly react as the verdicts were read, according to reports from the courtroom. In England and Wales, the maximum sentence for sexual assault is 10 years, while rape carries a potential life sentence, with sentencing guidelines ranging up to 19 years depending on the circumstances of the offense.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police credited the “extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women” who came forward. Sky News reported that the Met is also investigating further allegations made by two other women.
The verdicts complete a stunning fall for one of the most recognizable British entertainers of the 2000s. Brand rose through MTV in the U.K., hosted the Big Brother spinoff Big Brother’s Big Mouth and fronted his own BBC radio show before crossing over to Hollywood. His breakout came with 2008’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall, in which he played the scene-stealing rock star Aldous Snow, a role he reprised in 2010’s Get Him to the Greek. He went on to appear in Arthur, Rock of Ages and The Tempest, and voiced Dr. Nefario in the Despicable Me franchise.
In recent years Brand had largely left acting behind, building a large following on YouTube and podcast platforms with content focused on wellness, spirituality and politics. That career unraveled in September 2023, when a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches published accusations of sexual assault and misconduct from multiple women. YouTube suspended his ability to earn money from his channel shortly afterward, and the Metropolitan Police opened an investigation that led to the charges in April 2025.
Brand will return to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on Monday.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, support is available in the U.K. from Rape Crisis at 0808 500 2222 and in the U.S. from RAINN at 800-656-4673.
