Netflix Announces ‘Depp v. Heard’ Documentary

The controversial battle of the exes is still not coming to an end. Although Johnny Depp had previously won the trial more than a year ago, Netflix is not ready to let the story die down just yet.

From different perspectives to multiple theories, the Depp v. Heard trial is ready to be turned into a docu miniseries discussing the social influence the trial had on the general public.

Netflix Announcement

After the conclusion of the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp defamation trial, Netflix is revisiting the highly publicized legal battle that captivated both the nation and the social media world. The trial, known for its live-streamed “he said-she said” dynamics, involved Depp, 60, and Heard, 37, who were in civil court due to a 2018 op-ed where Heard suggested she experienced “domestic abuse” without explicitly naming Depp. This led to a $50 million defamation lawsuit from Depp and a $100 million countersuit from Heard, his ex-wife.

During the trial, which lasted from April to June, social media users avidly followed the proceedings, closely examining testimony, evidence, and the legal teams involved. Public sentiment predominantly favored Depp while often ridiculing Heard.

Netflix’s three-part series, “Depp v. Heard,” currently available for streaming, delves into the backlash against Heard and weaves together the testimonies of the former spouses, enabling viewers to hear their contrasting accounts of significant incidents in succession.

The Depp and Heard Story

Heard and Depp’s story started out promisingly when they fell in love while filming 2011’s “The Rum Diary,” based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel. The ex-couple got married in 2015

Depp praised his partner as literate, sweet, and funny during his testimony in a Fairfax, Virginia courtroom. He said:

“She seemed to be the perfect partner: literate, sweet, funny.”

Heard, however, expressed that their love was unique but was always disappointed by Depp disappearing without notice. Quote: Recordings of their heated arguments were presented in court. Depp maintained that he never physically harmed Heard.

“Depp v. Heard” Netflix Announcement

Filmmaker Emma Cooper, director of Netflix’s “Depp v. Heard,” was more than ready for the online commentary and controversy surrounding her documentary series. The project revisits the high-profile defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, which attracted global attention due to allegations of domestic violence from both sides.

Ultimately, the jury ruled in Depp’s favor, with Heard ordered to pay him $10 million in damages, and the two settled their long-running legal battle for $1 million.

Cooper’s documentary does not introduce new revelations about the trial or its subjects. Instead, it explores the way the general public was obsessed with the trial.

The series refrains from featuring expert interviews, or exclusive sit-downs with Depp, Heard, or their legal teams. It primarily uses the provided trial live feeds, YouTube commentary, TikToks, and archival media footage.

What Does the Documentary Deal With?

The documentary features interviews with lawyers from both sides, offering differing perspectives on the verdict. Heard’s attorney suggests that the jury couldn’t have avoided social media and negative commentary about her client, despite the judge’s instructions. Depp’s lawyers argue that the jury took their responsibilities seriously, even though it was challenging to ignore external influences.

Cooper does not explore the role of social media in the trial’s outcome in her documentary, as she did not have access to the jurors and prefers not to speculate.