Johnny Depp and Amber Heard: Commentaries

This is a collection of media commentaries on the Johnny Depp – Amber Heard case. It pulls together media pieces that are informed by knowledge of domestic and sexual violence, their typical dynamics and impacts, or that offer commentary on the wider significance and implications of the case. Suggestions for further commentaries are welcome.

Hobbes' piece below is a particularly thorough account of the history and context for the Depp-Heard trial.

Commentary after the case concluded:

Commentary during (and after) the case:

Older discussions and legal rulings:

  • In 2018, Depp filed a libel lawsuit against the publishers of The Sun (UK) for calling him a “wife beater”. In November of 2020, the UK’s High Court of Justice ruled that 12 of 14 incidents of violence were “substantially true” – that Depp had assaulted Heard on at least 12 occasions – and he was not permitted to appeal the ruling. Justice Nichols’ 2020 findings are here.