Two of the 10 most searched-for people on Google in 2022 are now the subject of a docuseries that premiered on Netflix Inc NFLX Wednesday.
What Happened: In 2022, the court case involving previously married celebrities Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was among the most talked-about events in the entertainment world.
The highly publicized court trial that lasted from April 2022 to June 2022 over defamation claims from both parties saw a jury award Depp $15 million, an amount that was later significantly reduced. In December 2022, a settlement resulted in Depp being awarded $1 million, which he committed to giving to charity.
Premiering on Netflix on Wed. Aug. 16 was “Depp v. Heard,” a three-episode docuseries from Emma Cooper.
“Showing both testimonies side-by-side for the first time, this series explores the trial that set Hollywood ablaze and the online fallout that ensued,” the description reads.
The three episodes are 47, 48 and 50 minutes in length and come with titles of “Truth on Trial,” “Breaking the Internet,” and “The Viral Verdict.”
Unlike many docuseries, “Depp v. Heard” did not interview the two main subjects of the story.
“I wanted to get away from any he-said-she-said within the trial,” Coooper told Variety.
Cooper said fans of both Depp and Heard are mad about the docuseries.
“You know it’s a balanced level of hate. I pride myself that it tends to be very 50/50.”
Cooper added that the docuseries creates the role of the viewer and social media and how that factored into the trial becoming a can’t-miss event.
The director said she found herself watching the live feed and sharing commentary with friends and seeing what others were saying on social media during the trial.
“The more I looked into it, I felt like we were in a cultural and social phenomenon. As a documentary maker, I felt there was an opportunity for me to reflect on how I was feeling while I was watching it, and I felt that it was a real moment in time.”
Rather than including interviews with Depp and Heard, the docuseries features a live-feed of the trial and includes TikToks and YouTube videos made by others about the case.
Related Link: Johnny Depp Moving Back Behind The Camera
Why It’s Important: According to Google, Depp was the most searched-for person on the popular search engine in 2022. The trial sparked significant search interest, which might have been further fueled as multiple movie franchises sought to distance themselves from the actor.
The Walt Disney Company DIS and Warner Bros. Discovery WBD both severed their relationships with Depp, removing him from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Fantastic Beasts" franchises, respectively.
Coincidentally, Netflix is aiding Depp's cinematic resurgence by financing and securing the streaming rights in France for "La Favorite," a film centered around France's King Louis XV, which premiered in May 2023.
Depp also toured with his band Hollywood Vampires and released new music after the trial. Rumors persists about a possible reunion between Depp and Disney for the Pirates franchise.
Ranking as the third most searched person in 2022 was Heard, who trailed only Depp and Will Smith, who was also the subject of an incident in 2022 that went viral on social media.
Heard did a tell-all interview with NBC News weeks after the trial ended, and the actress considered writing a tell-all book to share more of her side of the story.
A quick look at Netflix on Thursday showed “Depp v. Heard” as the number one trending television show for the day. Data released by Netflix next week will show how many people tuned in to get a new recap and view of the trial that America couldn’t look away from in 2022.
Read Next: The 10 Most Searched Things In 2022
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