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The world was addicted to the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial in 2022, and now a series documenting the court case is trending on Netflix.
Depp v. Heard deep dives into the defamation trial between Hollywood exes which played out in a Virginia courtroom – and to the world – in 2022.
The three-part series was first released in the UK on Channel 4 in May 2023 but has found a new audience as it trends on the streaming platform Netflix – reigniting fans’ intrigue in this huge case.
A whirlwind of media attention surrounded the trial – where a jury was asked to determine if Heard had defamed ex-husband Depp in a Washington Post op-ed written in 2018, in which she discussed experiencing domestic abuse but didn’t name him.
Depp’s legal team argued that the article had harmed his reputation and career, and sought millions of dollars in damages. Heard countersued.
As the series relives the case, what exactly was the outcome of the trial? And what has happened since then?
The trial took place in 2022 (Picture: Reuters)
Heard was sued by Depp for defamation (Picture: REUTERS)
Depp won the defamation trial against his ex-wife (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
What was the outcome of Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard?
Johnny Depp won the defamation trial against Amber Heard.
After a long court battle, which began in April 2022, the jury returned their unanimous verdict in Depp’s favour in June 2022.
Depp was awarded $10million in compensatory damages, plus another $5million in punitive damages – however, the latter was reduced to Virginia’s maximum of $350,000 by Judge Penney Azcarate.
Heard won one of her three defamation counterclaims and was awarded $2million.
Both parties issued lengthy statements after the verdict was delivered.
Heard said she was ‘heartbroken’ that ‘the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband’.
She added: ‘I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback.’
Depp, meanwhile, said: ‘From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome.
‘Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.’
In her statement, Heard referenced a previous legal case involving the warring exes.
In November 2020, Depp lost a UK libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN) – publishers of the newspaper The Sun – in which both Depp and Heard gave evidence.
What has happened since Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s court case?
Immediately after the 2022 case, Depp was spotted in Gateshead – of all places.
He had travelled to the northern English town to perform with guitarist pal Jeff Beck on stage, having previously shown up at concerts in Sheffield and London.
In the months following the trial, both parties made appeal attempts.
Depp filed an appeal bid over the decision to award Heard $2million regarding her successful counterclaim in November 2022 – while Heard filed an appeal bid over the overall decision in December.
Eventually, the exes settled their case that same month, agreeing on a final sum of $1million owed to Depp by Heard, which he pledged to give to charity.
Depp performing at London’s O2 with band Hollywood Vampires (Picture: Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
In March 2023, Johnny Depp was living at an 850-acre estate in Somerset, where it is thought he still spends much of his time.
His film Jeanne du Barry premiered in May 2023, and he appeared at the Cannes Film Festival to promote it.
The film was panned with journalist Anna Smith saying it wasn’t Depp’s ‘finest hour’.
In July 2024, Johnny addressed his ‘sometimes tragic career’ as he won a film award.
Amber Heard appeared in good spirits during a trip to the Taormina Film Festival, Italy (Picture: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images)
Amber Heard is believed to be living in Madrid, Spain with toddler daughter Oonagh Paige.
She starred in the 2023 film In The Fire and appeared in Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom in the same year.
As of July 2024, the actress doesn’t have any projects coming up that have been announced.
Depp v Heard is now available to stream on Netflix in the UK.
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