Russell Brand‘s 2026 could be defined by courtroom appearances over sexual offense allegations, but it has not stopped him from making light of the situation.
The Despicable Me star appeared via video link from Florida at a Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing on Monday, where he faced charges of rape and sexual assault.
Brand, wearing an unbuttoned denim shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the six-minute hearing, but later took issue with a courtroom sketch of his appearance.
The actor and comedian, who has reinvented himself as an evangelical Christian and influential voice in the American manosphere, posted on X/Twitter: “Never mind anything else. This court sketch is an injustice.” Alongside the caption was a screenshot of an article on The Independent website.
Brand was granted bail during the hearing. He will next appear at a plea hearing at London’s Southwark Crown Court on February 17.
Brand was charged with the counts of rape and sexual assault in December, relating to events alleged to have taken place in London in 2009. These were on top of previous charges: two of rape, one of indecent assault and two of sexual assault. For those, he has pleaded not guilty and his trial begins over the summer.
Brand has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In a social media post, the Forgetting Sarah Marshall star said he was “grateful” for the opportunity to defend himself during a trial in 2026.