Russell Brand, once a prominent leftist voice in British politics with millions of social media followers, faces renewed legal challenges. The 50-year-old former comedian appeared before Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to two new charges of rape and sexual assault. He arrived at the courthouse carrying a Bible, which he had marked with several pages.
Brand’s recent career transformation as a conservative guru has been juxtaposed against his past controversies. His appearance at the court included an outfit that revealed much of his chest: a leopard-print shirt beneath a dark coat, paired with a fedora. The charges he faces involve two women from London in 2009 and another woman in the same city in 2010—charges renewed following police investigations.
Brand’s bail was recently renewed after a brief hearing, setting him on track for trial in June. Six women are implicated in these sexual offense cases, with eight distinct charges against Brand to date from four different time periods spanning from 1999 to 2005 and beyond 2009 and 2010.
Brand’s legal troubles have followed a career marked by stints as an MTV presenter, television host, and Hollywood film actor. He hosted BBC Radio 2’s show between 2006 and 2008 but left the station after airing a prank involving a sexually explicit voicemail for actor Andrew Sachs during his appearance on “Fawlty Towers.”
British law protects the identities of those making claims of sexual violence, allowing Brand to maintain anonymity. Born into working-class Essex in eastern London, he began his stand-up career as a teenager and has since made significant shifts in his public persona and platform.
As these new legal proceedings unfold, Russell Brand is navigating yet another chapter in his complex journey from political activist to television personality, all while confronting allegations of misconduct.