British authorities announced on Tuesday that Russell Brand, a well-known comedian and actor, has been charged with a fresh count of rape and another of sexual assault. These new charges, approved by the Crown Prosecution Service, pertain to two women and come after five charges were filed in April involving four other women, which included two counts of rape, one of indecent assault, and two of sexual assault, dating back over two decades.
The 50-year-old Brand is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 20, 2026, in connection with the latest allegations. Additionally, a trial for the previous charges has been scheduled to commence at Southwark Crown Court on June 16, 2026. Efforts to contact Brand for his response have been made by Reuters.
Brand had previously pleaded not guilty in May to the initial five charges. Once a prominent broadcaster in the UK and the former spouse of American pop star Katy Perry, he has steadfastly refuted any claims of engaging in non-consensual sexual activities.
In light of the April accusations, Brand addressed the situation on social media, acknowledging his past mistakes but adamantly denying any allegations of rape, stating, “I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity.” Transitioning to social commentary in recent years, Brand has ventured into hosting a show on the contentious video platform, Rumble, marketed as impervious to cancel culture.
The original probe was initiated in September 2023 following reports of allegations by Channel 4 TV’s Dispatches program and the Sunday Times newspaper.
