Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial

Fame Under Fire is at Southwark Crown Court for the trial of comedian, actor and broadcaster Russell Brand.

Brand faces seven sexual offence charges involving six women: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The alleged offences date from 1999 to 2009.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Under UK court reporting rules, cameras and recording device are not allowed inside the courtroom. For Fame Under Fire, Russell Brand on Trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty will take you inside the case another way. Every day we’ll bring you updates on what the jury hears, with expert analysis of what is happening and the law behind the case.

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Latest Episodes:

Brand: Day 8 “You treated me like an animal” Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

“You treated me like an animal.”

A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged anal rape.

The jury hears about an alleged text exchange between Russell Brand and Complainant Five following an alleged rape at his home.

During cross-examination, the defence questions her account of what happened, challenging her recollection of events and suggesting she consented to sexual activity because she loved and idolised Russell Brand.

The complainant firmly rejects that suggestion, telling the court: “No, I did not consent to what happened to me.”

The defence also questions why she did not explicitly accuse Brand of rape in the text exchange.

Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault relating to six women. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us through the evidence, the defence's challenges and what the jury heard on day eight of the trial.

Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you what the jury hears as the trial unfolds.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Mark Burrows YouTube Producer: CJ Fawn Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

20/10/2026 Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Your backstage pass when scandal collides with celebrity.

Brand: Day 6 - “My innocence had been taken” Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

“I felt like my innocence had been taken.”

A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.

Complainant three tells the jury Russell Brand sexually assaulted and raped her at a party in the early 2000s. She describes why she kept the full extent of the alleged attack secret from friends and family for years, and why she eventually reported it to police.

During cross-examination, the defence challenges her memory, questions alleged inconsistencies in her accounts and suggests the sexual encounter was consensual. She rejects that suggestion.

Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault relating to six women. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us through the evidence, the defence's challenges and what the jury heard on day six of the trial.

Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you what the jury hears as the trial unfolds.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Mark Burrows Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Brand: Day 5 - “Wild-eyed maniac” Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

“Wild-eyed maniac.”

The second complainant tells the jury Russell Brand grabbed her arm and tried to pull her into a toilet while she was working at MTV in the early 2000s.

She describes struggling to free herself, while the defence suggests Brand was seeking consensual sexual activity.

The court also hears from witnesses connected to the first complainant's allegation of rape in 1999, including two men who worked with Brand at the time.

Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault relating to six women. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us through the evidence, the challenges from the defence and what the jury heard on day five of the trial.

A warning this podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.

Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you what the jury hears as the trial unfolds.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Mark Burrows Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Brand: Day 4 - “It made me feel so dirty” Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.

“It made me feel so dirty.”

The first complainant gives emotional evidence about an alleged rape in 1999. The jury hears her video-recorded police interview before she faces cross-examination from Russell Brand's defence team.

The judge also intervenes during a tense exchange with the defence barrister.

Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us through the evidence and the exchanges in court, explaining what the jury heard and the legal issues they must consider.

Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you what the jury hears as the trial unfolds.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Mark Burrows Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Brand: Day 3 - Prosecution Opens Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

The prosecution has opened its case against Russell Brand at Southwark Crown Court, outlining allegations made by six women.

A warning this podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.

Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty reports on what the jury heard, including claims of assaults in hotels, workplaces and private homes, and the prosecution's account of why some complainants came forward years after the alleged incidents.

The jury also heard evidence from Brand's former friend, who described his behaviour following an alleged incident in 1999. Under cross-examination, the defence challenged why aspects of his account had not been mentioned in earlier interviews with journalists or police.

Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, as Anoushka brings you what the jury hears and explains what it means.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Mark Burrows Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Brand: Day 2 - 8 Men, 4 Women Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

The jury has been selected in Russell Brand's trial at Southwark Crown Court. Eight men and four women have been sworn in, along with a reserve juror.

But why were six prospective jurors dismissed?

Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty reports on the jury selection process and the judge's instructions to jurors about avoiding outside opinions, media coverage and online research. She also explains why alleged victims of sexual offences are entitled to lifelong anonymity and how journalists must avoid 'jigsaw identification' in their reporting.

With the prosecution due to open its case tomorrow, what can we expect from its opening statement? And why won't the defence be making one?

Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, as Anoushka brings you what the jury hears and explains what it means.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Mark Burrows Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Brand: Day 1 - Jury Selection Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

It's day one of Russell Brand's trial at Southwark Crown Court, where jury selection is underway.

Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is inside the courtroom, bringing you the latest from the trial and explaining how the British justice system differs from the US.

From barristers in wigs and robes to strict contempt of court laws, Anoushka explains why UK court reporting comes with very different rules. Why can't journalists report everything that happens during jury selection? And why can British jurors, in certain circumstances, draw conclusions if a defendant chooses not to testify?

Follow Fame Under Fire Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, as Anoushka brings you what the jury hears and explains what it means.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Russell Brand Trial: All You Need To Know Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Russell Brand’s trial begins at Southwark Crown Court on 12 October.

He faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denies the allegations against him.

Before the trial begins, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by criminal defence lawyers Matthew Claughton and Stephen Davies to break down the charges, and discuss how an English criminal trial differs from trials in the US.

From 12 October for Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial, Anoushka will be at Southwark Crown Court bringing you daily updates. Lock in so you never miss an episode.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate Production coordinator: Ellie Dover Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Tupac: The Trial Wrap-up Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

The Tupac murder trial is over. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Fame Under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent look back at the evidence, arguments, and courtroom moments that led to Duane "Keffe D" Davis being convicted of first-degree murder.

For Fame Under Fire: The Tupac Murder Trial, Anoushka has been in the Las Vegas courtroom every day bringing you updates.

We’ve got more trials coming up - make sure you lock in so you don’t miss a thing.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza Production Coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

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