Netflix to Produce a Russell Brand Documentary After Rape Conviction

According to exclusive information from Deadline , Netflix is ​​about to release a major documentary series about Russell Brand. The production will be handled by 72 Films and official confirmation may be released as early as this week.

The initiative comes shortly after the comedian was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault last week, receiving a sentence of 10 years and six months in prison.

The platform has a history of covering high-profile British sex offender cases in documentaries produced by 72 Films, such as The Secrets and Crimes of Jimmy Savile, released in 2022.

The documentary project was even mentioned during the trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. Mark Pinheiro, a former friend of Brand, stated in his testimony that he was approached by a producer to talk about the Netflix program.

In his closing remarks, Justice Bennathan labeled Brand a "sexual predator" and praised the bravery of the accusers. "Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say ‘no’ and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent", he declared.

While the new project is not yet available to the public, Netflix has decided to keep the comedy special Russell Brand: Re:Birth (2018) in its catalog, but has removed active promotion of the show. The title will no longer appear in subscriber recommendations and will not be displayed in direct searches for the comedian's name, being accessible only through generic searches such as "British stand-up comedy" .

A company source justified the measure. "We prioritize choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices," they told the publication.