Netflix on Thursday announced *Russell Brand: Open Secret*, a documentary premiering November 13 — days after the comedian was sentenced on Monday to 10 years and six months in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.

According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, the film comes from 72 Films, the Fremantle-owned producer behind *Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story*, and is directed by Olivia Isaacs.

Cinema Express reports producers are Kate Yandle, Laura Spence and Felicity Cross, with Clare Cameron, David Glover and Mark Raphael as executive producers.

Multiple outlets describe the documentary as tracing Brand's full arc: his beginnings as a standup comedian, his rise through film roles, his later turn as a political activist and YouTuber known for conspiracy theories, and finally the criminal trial.

According to Variety, the film draws on insiders and archive material to examine Brand's life. The Hollywood Reporter adds that, crucially, the film will examine how, despite many people in the TV industry being aware of his behaviour, he evaded punishment for so long.

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter report that it features The Times and The Sunday Times chief news correspondent Rosamund Urwin and investigations correspondent Charlotte Wace, providing insight into how the inquiry was built.

The allegations first surfaced publicly in 2023, in a docuseries made by The Sunday Times with Channel 4's Dispatches, before which Brand was known chiefly for comedy and films like *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* and *Get Him to the Greek*, per Variety.

The film arrives in the immediate shadow of a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court that, as The Hollywood Reporter describes, captivated Britain.

A jury found Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, while acquitting him of two other rape charges and one attempted indecent assault.

Variety reports Justice Bennathan ruled Brand ineligible for release until he completes two-thirds of the term, and that the Metropolitan Police confirmed he is under investigation over further rape allegations from two other women.

In sentencing remarks quoted by Variety, the judge said: 'About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous. You were clever and, in many people's eyes, funny and charismatic.

You had also become a sexual predator.' The Hollywood Reporter quotes the judge describing 'staggering arrogance' during the attacks, saying Brand's entourage often 'indulged' his 'dreadful behaviour,' and affirming that women 'retain the right to say no' and to demand justice.

THR reports Brand was transferred to HMP Wandsworth and is expected to serve around seven years before release on licence.

The pairing of 72 Films with this subject is a pointed choice: the same team made *Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story*, and its credits also include the Emmy-winning *9/11: One Day in America* and *John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial*, according to Variety.