discovery+ UK Orders New Johnny vs Amber Doc

Warner Bros. Discovery UK has confirmed three new commissions for discovery+, including a follow-up to the Johnny vs Amber two-parter.

From Optomen TV, the documentary will focus on the recent high-profile legal battle between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in the U.S., looking at the evidence and testimony of the former couple. Each episode will present one side of the argument through legal teams, friends, family and key witnesses.

In March 2019, Depp filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife for $50 million over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in 2018 in which she referred to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

In addition to the follow-up to Johnny vs Amber, discovery+ has also greenlit two further ‘vs’ series: Coleen vs Rebekah and Britney vs Jamie. The former will examine the recent U.K. court battle between high-profile footballers’ wives Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy, while the latter will delve into Britney Spears’ conservatorship and her accusations against her father and one-time conservator Jamie Spears.

Clare Laycock, senior VP of planning and insights, head of entertainment at Warner Bros. Discovery UK, said: “When we commissioned Johnny vs Amber for discovery+, we knew that we were tackling a very sensitive case but one with a huge global profile and interest that would resonate with our audience. Since it premiered in December last year, Johnny vs Amber has been one of the most successful unscripted discovery+ originals, currently the number one acquisition driver in the U.K. as well topping engagement figures and traveling globally across the U.S., EMEA and our wider international markets.

“We are delighted to partner with Optomen TV to bring another Johnny vs Amber two-part documentary to discovery+ later this year, this time focused on the recent U.S. trial, and to expand the ‘vs’ format further with two more huge cases of interest in Coleen vs Rebekah and Britney vs Jamie,” Laycock added. “This unique format examines each side of the story as played out in the legal trials and the court of public opinion, with access to opposing legal teams, witnesses, reporters, as well as personal archive and testimony to give viewers insight into both sides of some of the most widely debated and high profile celebrity cases.”

Nick Hornby, co-CEO at Optomen TV, said, “The discovery+ ‘vs’ format allows viewers to make up their own minds about some of the most reported stories of our times and will offer an in-depth look at them from both sides.”