Brian Cox says he ‘feels sorry’ for Amber Heard over Johnny Depp trial

 

Brian Cox, a Scottish actor who has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre, has said that he “feels sorry” for American actress Amber Heard in regards to her highly publicised defamation trial against her ex-husband Johnny Depp.

The successful actor, who plays Logan Roy on Succession, spoke about the ex-couple in an interview with The Times. He said he regrets once calling Depp “overrated.” He said that “the public loves him.” He also said that the jury for the trial also loved Depp. He also talked about Heard. He said, “I feel sorry for Heard. I think she got the rough end of it.”

In June this year, Depp won his high-profile defamation case against ex-wife Heard. The American actor sued Heard for $50m over a Washington Post op-ed titled: “I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.” While Depp’s name wasn’t mentioned in the article, Depp’s legal team argued it falsely implied the actress was sexually and physically abused by him in their marriage. Subsequently, Heard countersued Depp for $100m, accusing Depp of starting a “smear campaign” against her.

The defamation trial ended in June. The jury in the Virginia court found that Heard defamed Depp on all three counts and awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Depp was also ordered to pay USD 2 million to Heard.

During the trial, Heard testified about the death threats she and her child received from fans of Depp. She said, “People want to kill me, and they tell me so every day.”

In July this year, the Virginia court rejected Heard's demand for a new trial in the defamation case. The judge issued a written order denying Heard’s request for a new trial.