Russell Brand has been charged with two new offences, as reported by the Metropolitan Police.
The actor and comedian, 50, is facing two additional charges, one count of rape and one count of sexual assault, from two women.
Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 20, 2026, in relation to these two additional charges.
Details about these charges have not been released, but they are two additional charges from two women who are not involved in Brand’s other charges from April 2025.
Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, confirmed that these were also historic incidents taking place around 16 years ago.
‘These new charges relate to separate reports of non-recent offences in 2009, involving two additional women.’
Brand has now spoken out in a video shared on social media, in which he addressed recent ‘time of great darkness’ and that he was looking forward to speaking about the ‘truth’.
In a video taken while he was driving in his car, Brand said: ‘You’re all aware of that, a time of confusion and dispute and conflict, but I’ve learned in my own life that attack can bring about grace.
‘I’m so grateful for the opportunity in my own life that I get to participate in change and transformation and growth and love, and I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to atone for the many things over the years that I did wrong, and the opportunity to ensure that people understand the truth of my situation and scenario,’ he said.
He then spoke about the media, stating that the UK ‘appears to be using bureaucracy increasingly to legitimise authority’, and then addressed those he had ‘harmed’.
‘I pray Lord, that anyone that I’ve harmed or hurt in my years of mindlessness in sin would be healed. Lord, I pray for infinite light and wonderful healing for them, and I pray, Lord, for the absolute truth of who I am to be abundantly revealed.’
He concluded: ‘There are going to be big staged…I don’t want to say battles, trials, is what I’m going to call them trials. But as it says in James, we consider it great joy when we face trials of any kind.’
He then wished his followers a Merry Christmas.
The previous five charges, involving four women, include two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault.
Brand pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault earlier this year when facing these five previous charges, with a trial scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on June 16, 2026.
Detectives began investigating in September 2023 after several allegations from alleged victims.
Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times then alleged several offences taking place between the late 90s and early noughties.
The charges against him, as heard in court earlier this year, include allegedly raping a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference in 1999. Another woman accused Brand of indecent assault after being allegedly grabbed by her forearm by him as he tried to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in 2001.
The court heard from a third person, who was a TV worker Brand met in Soho 21 years ago. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly orally raping her after pulling her into a toilet.
The fourth complainant is a radio station worker who met Brand during his time working for Channel 4’s Big Brother’s Big Mouth between 2004 and 2005.
Brand has maintained his innocence when it comes to previous charges, and claimed that any encounters were ‘consensual’, while declaring he was ‘never was a rapist’.
In a video posted on X, the comedian said: ‘I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.’
He said in the clip: ‘I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single before I had a wife and family, who are there just out of shot. I was a fool, man, I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord.
‘I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile but what I never was, was a rapist.’
Learn more about Rape Crisis England & Wales
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a charity working to end rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse – and all other forms of sexual violence.
Whether it happened recently, or a long time ago; whether you know without a doubt that you experienced sexual violence, or aren't quite sure; whether it happened to you, or someone you know; Rape Crisis England & Wales will always believe you and listen to you, and they can offer you information and support.
You can find out more about Rape Crisis England & Wales here; and if you're aged 16 or over, you can call the charity's 24/7 support line for free on 0808 500 2222.
Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi from the Metropolitan Police, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement to the press on December 23: ‘The women who have made reports, including those connected to the two new charges, continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
‘The Met’s investigation remains ongoing, and detectives urge anyone affected by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with police.
‘A dedicated team of investigators can be reached via email at [email protected].
‘Support is also available through the independent charity Rape Crisis by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.’
