Netflix announces tight-turnaround documentary about Russell Brand
...as it continues to stream his stand-up special
Netflix has announced a new documentary film about Russell Brand’s rise to fame and criminal convictions.
Russell Brand: Open Secret comes from the same producers who made Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story, 72 Films.
The documentary was produced with a tight turnaround and will be released tomorrow.
It comes as the streamer faced a backlash for not removing the comedian’s 2018 stand-up special, Re:Birth, from its platform following his conviction for rape and three sexual assaults, for which he was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years on Monday.
Netflix says: ‘The documentary features inside voices and archive footage providing insight into Brand’s life and the investigation run by The Times and The Sunday Times, through their chief news correspondent, Rosamund Urwin and investigations correspondent, Charlotte Wace.’
The film is directed by Olivia Isaacs, whose credits include the true crime docuseries The Other Mrs Jordan, about bigamist and conman William Allen Jordan, and the boxing documentary Eddie Hall: The Beast vs. The Mountain.
Of its decision to keep streaming Re:Birth, as filmed at the Hackney Empire, a Netflix source told journalists: ’We prioritise choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices.’
Published: 12 Nov 2026
Products
DVD (2013)
Russell Brand: Messiah Complex
DVD (2013)
Channel 4 Comedy Gala 2013
DVD (2012)
The Secret Policemans Ball 2012
DVD (2011)
Russell Brand: Live In New York City
DVD (2009)
Russell Brand: Scandalous Live At The 02
DVD (2009)
The World According to Russell Brand
CD (2009)
The World According to Russell Brand
CD (2009)
Russell Brand: The Best of What's Legal
DVD (2008)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
DVD (2008)
St Trinian's
DVD (2007)
Russell Brand: Doing Life - Live
Book (2007)
Russell Brand: Irons In The Fire
Book (2007)
Russell Brand: My Booky Wook
Book (2007)
Russell Brand Mad, Bad And Dangerous to Know
Book (2007)
Russell Brand: Unleashed, Untamed, Unauthorized
DVD (2006)
The Secret Policeman's Ball
DVD (2006)
Russell Brand Live
Past Shows
Agent
We do not currently hold contact details for Russell Brand's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.
