Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges

British comedian and actor Russell Brand pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all charges of rape and multiple counts of sex assault at a London court Friday.

LONDON — British comedian and actor Russell Brand pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all charges of rape and multiple counts of sex assault at a London court Friday.

The 49-year-old showed up at the Southwark Crown Court in a black blazer with an unbuttoned striped shirt and dark jeans.

Local media reported that the comedian, actor and right-wing social media influencer was accompanied by his lawyer, Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, who successfully defended the actor Kevin Spacey against sex assault allegations in 2023.

As he arrived at the courtroom, Brand appeared composed and smiled at the media before taking a seat in the middle of the dock.

Prosecutors agreed to the confirmed trial date of June 3, 2026, with pretrial review expected to be held next May.