Netflix docuseries 'Depp v. Heard' to explore the defamation trial that fixated the world

The worldwide spectacle that became the defamation trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, the actors and ex-spouses who faced off last year in court, is the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary series.

Depp, 60, won the defamation lawsuit last June that he filed against ex-wife Heard, 37, who he accused of defaming him in a 2018 opinion pieced published in the Washington Post. For nearly two months, a trial that began in April 2022 featured the two Hollywood stars – and their lawyers – trading insults, barbs and accusations, much to the entertainment of a global audience who followed the proceedings closely.

Now, Netflix's latest documentary series "Depp v. Heard" will examine how the defamation trial — which was livestreamed when news cameras were allowed in the courtroom — spread beyond the walls of a Fairfax County, Virginia courtroom. Playing out just as intensely in the court of public opinion, the case captured the world's attention, becoming the first so-called "trial by TikTok."

Watch the trailer for 'Depp v. Heard'

What was the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial about?

Two years after Heard filed for divorce in 2016 and sought a temporary restraining order against the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star, she published an op-ed in the Post referring to herself as "a public figure representing domestic abuse."

Though it never mentioned Depp by name, the piece became the basis for the controversial actor's libel lawsuit in 2019 against Heard in which he sought $50 million in damages. During the trial, Depp insisted his wife of 15 months had concocted the claims in order to destroy his reputation and career.

The case went to trial in April 2022, and for six grueling weeks its televised proceedings became fodder for TikTok stars and influencers, who poked fun at viral clips of testimony and took sides with either Depp or Heard, both of whom accused each other of physical and verbal abuse.

Heard also filed a $100 million countersuit for defamation against Depp over comments made by the actor's former lawyer Adam Waldman when he called her abuse allegations a hoax.

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As the trial came to a close, the Virginia jury sided with Depp, awarding him more than $10 million in damages. In the countersuit, Depp was found guilty of one charge of libel and Heard was awarded $2 million.

For Depp's supporters, the trial verdict served as vindication for the embattled actor, who previously lost a libel suit against The Sun after the tabloid called him a "wife beater." But for Heard and her backers, they feared the trial's outcome could have "a chilling effect on other women who wish to speak about abuse involving powerful men," she said in a court briefing seeking to appeal the ruling.

Heard and Depp agreed to a settlement in December in which she would pay him $1 million after her appeal for a new trial was unsuccessful.

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When will 'Depp v. Heard' be released?

The three-part docuseries will begin streaming in its entirety on Aug. 17 on Netflix.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard trial: Netflix docuseries to examine case