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Paul Bettany: Depp and I Hadn't Spoken in Years Before Trial Texts

Bettany told The Times the texts, sent in 2013 and 2014, were first made public in Depp's 2020 libel case against The Sun; he called it odd.

On air: Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on Late Night BBN
Published 11:46 PM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

Photo: PhilipRomano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

▶ As it aired · Pop Culture

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on this story, from Late Night BBN at 11:46 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Variety's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: PhilipRomano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Paul Bettany — Photo: PhilipRomano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

At a glance

First reported by Variety: “Paul Bettany Says He and Johnny Depp ‘Hadn’t Spoken’ in Years When Their Texts Were Read During Libel Trial: ‘I Was Being Painted As This Close Friend’”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:46 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock; aired 2 times.
Topics: Johnny Depp, Aaron Paul.
BBN covered this story before: BBN Picks: Netflix's Top 10 and McCartney's height concern (October 17).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

VarietyPaul Bettany Says He and Johnny Depp ‘Hadn’t Spoken’ in Years When Their Texts Were Read During Libel Trial: ‘I Was Being Painted As This Close Friend’

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAccording to The Times, Paul Bettany and Johnny Depp hadn't communicated for years before their text messages surfaced during the court proceedings, yet he was characterized as an intimate confidant.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorDepp texted, "Let's burn Amber."
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBettany replied that he didn't think they should, because she was delightful company and he wasn't sure she was a witch.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNot sure. He's still collecting evidence, and I respect a man who waits for the paperwork.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIn a few minutes, what did two TV frontier doctors find on set? Nobody got burned there, I'm told.

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