Johnny Depp faced two high-profile legal battles that captured global attention: the 2020 UK libel trial against The Sun and the 2022 US defamation trial against Amber Heard. As a Depp fan, these trials were pivotal moments in his fight to clear his name from allegations of domestic abuse, which supporters believe were fabricated by Heard. This page provides a brief introduction to both cases, with links to detailed daily overviews for those wanting to dive deeper into the evidence and testimonies that shaped these historic legal showdowns.
The 2020 UK Libel Trial
In 2020, Johnny Depp sued The Sun and its editor Dan Wootton over a 2018 article calling him a “wife beater,” alleging it defamed him by falsely claiming he abused Amber Heard. The trial, held in London’s High Court from July 7 to July 28, 2020, saw Depp deny the allegations, supported by witnesses like Vanessa Paradis and police reports showing no evidence of Heard’s injuries. Despite audio evidence of Heard admitting to hitting Depp, the judge ruled against him, accepting Heard’s claims as “substantially true.” Fans viewed this as an unfair outcome, citing ignored evidence and the lack of a jury.
Read the full UK trial daily overview
The 2022 US Defamation Trial
The 2022 trial in Fairfax, Virginia, from April 11 to June 1, saw Depp sue Heard for $50 million over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed implying he abused her. Heard countersued for $100 million over statements by Depp’s lawyer calling her claims a “hoax.” The televised trial revealed audio of Heard admitting to violence, police testimony debunking her injury claims, and Depp’s emotional account of being the victim. The jury ruled in Depp’s favor, awarding him $10.35 million (after caps) and Heard $2 million on one counterclaim. Fans celebrated this as justice for Johnny, proving men can be abuse victims too.
Read the full US trial daily overview
Why These Trials Matter
For Depp supporters, these trials were more than legal battles—they were a fight against false narratives and media bias. The UK trial’s loss fueled determination for the US case, where a jury and public transparency exposed Heard’s inconsistencies. These cases reshaped discussions on domestic abuse, highlighting male victims and challenging #MeToo assumptions. Explore the subpages for a day-by-day breakdown of testimonies, evidence, and key moments that defined Johnny’s journey to reclaim his truth.
What happened before
2009
Depp and Heard met while filming “The Rum Diary,” which is based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel. Depp played Paul Kemp, a journalist who relocates to Puerto Rico and gets enamored with Chenault, portrayed by Heard, who is engaged to a businessman.
2012
Depp and Heard begin dating, according to court filings filed by Heard. The same year, Depp and long-term lover Vanessa Paradis conclude their 14-year relationship.
2014
Heard is shown wearing an engagement ring, and Depp appears to confirm the engagement later in interviews.
Eventually, The Daily Mail confirms the engagement.
2016
In May, Heard files for divorce and is granted a temporary restraining order against him.
Depp allegedly threw a phone at her, leaving her bruised.
“During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny Depp has been verbally and physically abusive to me,” Heard states in a sworn affidavit. “He has a short fuse.” He is frequently paranoid, and his rage is very frightening for me.” She writes that she had been living “in fear that Johnny will return to [our house] unannounced to terrorize me, physically and emotionally.”
A court denies Heard’s request that Depp take a year’s worth of anger management classes and refuses to extend the protective order to the couple’s dogs.
Police decide not file charges against Depp, who has previously denied harming the actress.
Later, in a joint statement, the couple announces that their divorce has been settled.
“Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love,” the statement reads, adding that Heard will donate any settlement funds to charity.
2017
The couple’s divorce is final.
2018
Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post that is at the center of the defamation action. In her op-ed, she writes: “I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out.”
Heard’s article discusses her maltreatment from childhood to maturity. It does not contain Depp’s name.
At the heart of the article, Heard requests assistance for women enduring domestic violence.
“We now have an opportunity to strengthen and expand institutions that safeguard women. For starters, Congress should extend and enhance the Violence Against Women Act,” she argues.
2019
Depp sues Heard for defamation, saying the Post article was a scheme to generate positive publicity for herself. Depp also maintains that she is not the victim of domestic abuse, but rather the offender.
Depp is seeking $50 million in damages.
2020
The Daily Mail published audio of Heard purportedly stating she hit Depp.
Later, a libel trial is held in the United Kingdom after the British publication “The Sun” referred to Depp as a “wife-beater.” Depp is suing both The Sun’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, and its parent firm, News Group Newspapers.
Paradis, Depp’s ex-partner, defends him in a statement, claiming that the actor “is the farthest thing” from being aggressive.
Depp alleges that Heard had romances with billionaire Elon Musk and actor James Franco. He also claimed Heard put her own feces in their bed and was physically aggressive with him.
In November, a judge sided with the Sun.
“I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and I have respected and agreed to that request,” he wrote in a blog post.
2021
Heard countersues Depp for $100 million.
2022
The weeks-long defamation trial begins on April 11, when Heard and Depp appear in court in Fairfax County, Virginia.
