British actor and comedian Russell Brand appeared remotely before a UK court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, confronting two new charges of rape dating back to 2009. The additional allegations, filed in December 2025, involve two separate women and expand the legal challenges facing the controversial entertainer.
The 50-year-old celebrity, known for his marriage to pop star Katy Perry from 2010-2012, participated via video link wearing a partially buttoned pale blue shirt. During the brief hearing, Brand only spoke to confirm his personal details before being granted conditional bail.
These new charges supplement existing allegations from May 2025, where Brand pleaded not guilty to five separate counts including two rapes, two sexual assaults, and one indecent assault. Those initial charges stem from incidents alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 involving four different women.
The investigation originated from a 2023 exposé by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 television, which documented multiple sexual misconduct allegations against the comedian. Brand, who transitioned from Hollywood stardom and left-leaning political activism to conservative commentary targeting his substantial social media following, has consistently denied all allegations.
The court has scheduled a pre-trial hearing for February 17 at Southwark Crown Court, with the full trial on the original five charges set to begin in June. Brand’s public persona has undergone significant transformation in recent years, including his 2024 baptism in the River Thames which he described as marking his conversion to Christianity.