Netflix confirms its Depp v. Heard docuseries will release on August 16

Streaming giant Netflix has confirmed that a new series focusing on the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial is coming to the platform this summer.

Last year, a seven-person jury ruled in favour of the defamation case Johnny Depp, 60, brought against his former wife Amber Heard, 37.

The case concluded on 1 June 2022 with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor being awarded $5million (£3.8million) in punitive damages.

However, Judge Penney S. Azcarate reduced this awarded sum to $350,000 under a state cap.

During the trial, the jury also found that Depp’s former attorney, Adam Waldman, had defamed Heard on one account.

This came from a comment he made to the Daily Mail in 2020 where he described the abuse allegations delivered by the Aquaman actress as a ‘hoax’.

Heard was given $2million (£1.5million) in compensatory damages, but $0 in punitive damages.

Following the conclusion of the court proceedings, Netflix quickly swooped in and scooped up rights to create a documentary series. Of course, it is set to be impartial and based on the heavily-covered trial.

Netflix

In August, subscribers of the streaming service in the US will be able to relive the events and experience the court environment for themselves.

The three-part docuseries has been directed by Emma Cooper, whose goal was to present ‘a neutral overview of what happens when the court of public opinion starts to overshadow reality’.

To create the limited series, 200 hours of footage from the defamation trial has been compiled alongside TikTok videos and Twitter commentary from critics.

According to Netflix, Depp v. Heard: “Interrogates the role social media played in the trial, raising provocative, uncomfortable questions about how the conversations happening outside the courtroom may have influenced the outcome.”

The service also hopes that: "The three-part series may shed some new light on the story everyone thinks they already know.”

Fans have been debating the release news via Twitter, with many US users excited to watch the series next month.

One said: “Definitely gonna be worth the watch.”

Another wrote: “If they have comments & interviews with Depp and Amber I’m definitely watching.”

A third posted: “This is going to be a fun one.”

And yet, not everyone is impressed with the forthcoming three-part documentary.

One Twitter user wrote: “Stop romanticising bad behaviour,” followed by sick emoji.

A second said: “Netflix never miss an opportunity to secure the bag.”

Another commented: “(sic) people just wanna make money off anything, s*** is sad.”

Depp v. Heard is set to premiere on Netflix on 16 August in the United States; however, a confirmed UK release date has yet to be announced.