Russell Brand’s Rise, Allegations and Trial Take Center Stage in New Netflix Documentary
Russell Brand’s fall from fame has been one of the most closely watched stories in British entertainment this year. Earlier this month, a London jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a trial that began in mid-October. On November 9, he was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison.
The case dates back to 2023, when The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s ‘Dispatches’ first reported the allegations. The Metropolitan Police opened an investigation in September of that year. Brand denied every charge throughout and maintained that the encounters were consensual.
Now Netflix is about to tell that story on screen. ‘Russell Brand: Open Secret’ premieres on the streamer on Friday, November 13. According to Netflix, the documentary charts Brand’s rapid rise and steep fall following the allegations of sexual offences.
The film draws on people who knew Brand and on archive footage. Netflix says it offers insight into his life and into the joint investigation by The Times and The Sunday Times, led by chief media correspondent Rosamund Urwin and investigations correspondent Charlotte Wace.
The documentary also covers his whole public career. Netflix’s press release says it follows Brand’s path from comedian and film star to political activist and YouTuber known for spreading conspiracy theories, and finally to his criminal trial. A short teaser calls Brand a “shapeshifter” and a “grifter,” and explains that the journalists initially didn’t realize their investigation would lead to criminal charges.
RUSSELL BRAND: OPEN SECRET, a new documentary charting the story of Russell Brand’s meteoric rise and steep fall following allegations of sexual offences, premieres tomorrow on Netflix. The documentary features inside voices and archive footage providing insight into Brand’s life and the investigation run by The Times and The Sunday Times.
— Netflix (@netflix) November 12, 2026
‘Open Secret’ is directed by Olivia Isaacs, who previously made the true crime series ‘The Other Mrs Jordan.’ It’s produced by 72 Films, the Fremantle company behind Netflix’s ‘Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story.’ The documentary runs 84 minutes.
According to one report, the film will also feature Georgina Baillie, who was at the center of the 2008 Sachsgate scandal involving Brand. Netflix hasn’t released a full list of interviewees.
The documentary arrives right after a landmark trial at Southwark Crown Court. Brand faced 7 charges involving 6 women and pleaded not guilty to all of them. He was convicted of rape and 3 counts of sexual assault, and acquitted of 2 other counts of rape and 1 count of attempted indecent assault.
RUSSELL BRAND: OPEN SECRET, a new documentary charting the story of Russell Brand’s meteoric rise and steep fall following allegations of sexual offences, arrives on Netflix tomorrow 13 November. The documentary features inside voices and archive footage providing insight into Brand’s life and the investigation run by The Times and The Sunday Times.
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) November 12, 2026
Most of his sentence comes from the rape conviction, for which the judge gave him 9 years. Police are also investigating rape allegations from 2 more women, though these remain allegations and no new charges have been announced.
The quick release has drawn mixed reactions. Some X users called it “sinister” and accused Netflix of cashing in. Reports say the streamer had been working on the film for some time and waited for the outcome of the trial before releasing it.
The documentary also comes amid scrutiny of Netflix’s other Brand content. The streamer recently drew criticism for keeping his 2018 stand-up special, ‘Russell Brand: Re:Birth,’ available after the guilty verdicts. Netflix will no longer promote or recommend the special, but subscribers can still watch it. With ‘Open Secret,’ Netflix is turning its focus from Brand’s comedy to the reporting that brought the allegations to light.
Will you be watching Netflix's Russell Brand: Open Secret?
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