Amber Heard returns to acting with ‘Spirit of the People' years after Johnny Depp trial
The play, written by Jeremy O Harris, is set to premiere this July at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Heard, now 39, will appear alongside a diverse ensemble including Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Ato Blankson-Wood, James Cusati-Moyer, Amandla Jahava, Emma Ramos, Julian Sanchez, Zachary Booth, Tonatiuh, and Lío Mehiel.
This marks Heard's shift from film to stage, reintroducing her to audiences in a dramatically different setting.
Spirit of the People delves into themes of land, identity, and destruction.
This production represents Heard's first acting credit since In the Fire and Aquaman 2, both filmed prior to her 2022 defamation trial.
While the trial drew massive global attention, Heard has largely kept out of the spotlight after moving to Spain, focusing on being a mother to 4-year old daughter Oonagh and twins Agnes and Ocean whom she welcomed earlier this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
04-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Amber Heard tilts toward theatre life in Spain following name change
Amber Heard appears to have turned a new page in her life, personally and professionally, since relocating to Spain in the aftermath of her legal dispute with Johnny Depp. The actress, who now reportedly goes by the pseudonym Martha Jane Cannary, has embraced a quieter existence in Madrid while simultaneously making her professional stage debut. After the conclusion of her high-profile defamation trial in 2022, Heard left California and settled first on Mallorca and then in Madrid. She reportedly adopted the name Martha Jane Cannary, an homage to the legendary Calamity Jane, as a way to reclaim privacy and anonymity in public life. She speaks fluent Spanish and has described Spain as her home, choosing it for its relative calm following intense media scrutiny in the US. In May 2025 Heard surprised fans by announcing that she had welcomed twins, Agnes and Ocean, joining her daughter Oonagh Paige, born in 2021 via surrogate. Her Instagram post on Mother's Day reflected both achievement and fulfilment, 'My daughter Agnes and my son Ocean are keeping my hands (and my heart) full,' she wrote. Professionally, Heard has shifted from film to theatre, performing in Spirit of the People, a bilingual play by Jeremy O. Harris at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. This marks her first acting role since 2023 and her debut on any theatrical stage. The production ran through early August 2025 and Gilbert produced increasingly positive feedback. Published photos and reviews praised her performance. Vanity Fair dubbed her portrayal 'exceptional particularly for someone in her professional theatrical debut,' noting her ability to embody a complex, Williams‑style character stretched across English and Spanish lines. The role showcased Heard's language fluency and emotional range. Fans and festival-goers echoed the sentiment, showering her with admiration and thanks on social media. At present, Heard has no confirmed upcoming film projects listed on IMDb, and there have been no public announcements regarding a return to Hollywood or the screen. Instead, her current trajectory appears focused on motherhood and artistic experimentation onstage. The name change, the move abroad, the bilingual theatre piece, and her expanding family suggest a deliberate departure from her previous public persona.
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Amber Heard returns to acting with ‘Spirit of the People' years after Johnny Depp trial
Amber Heard has confirmed her return to acting with a new role in Spirit of the People, marking her first major performance since her legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp. The play, written by Jeremy O Harris, is set to premiere this July at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Heard, now 39, will appear alongside a diverse ensemble including Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Ato Blankson-Wood, James Cusati-Moyer, Amandla Jahava, Emma Ramos, Julian Sanchez, Zachary Booth, Tonatiuh, and Lío Mehiel. This marks Heard's shift from film to stage, reintroducing her to audiences in a dramatically different setting. Spirit of the People delves into themes of land, identity, and destruction. This production represents Heard's first acting credit since In the Fire and Aquaman 2, both filmed prior to her 2022 defamation trial. While the trial drew massive global attention, Heard has largely kept out of the spotlight after moving to Spain, focusing on being a mother to 4-year old daughter Oonagh and twins Agnes and Ocean whom she welcomed earlier this year.
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Johnny Depp calls himself the 'crash test dummy' for #MeToo
In a rare interview with The Sunday Times, actor Johnny Depp opened up about his public legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, calling himself a 'crash test dummy' for the #MeToo movement. Depp reflected on the defamation case that stemmed from Heard's 2016 domestic violence allegations and the highly publicized trials that followed. 'Everyone was saying, 'It'll go away!' But I can't trust that,' Depp said, referring to the global media fallout. 'If I don't try to represent the truth, it will be like I've actually committed the acts I am accused of.' The actor filed a libel lawsuit in 2018 against The Sun after being called a 'wife beater,' which he lost in 2020. In 2019, he filed a separate defamation lawsuit against Heard over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed. A Virginia jury sided with Depp in 2022, awarding him damages, while Heard won one count in her countersuit. Depp explained his decision to go to trial, saying he was prepared to 'fight until the bitter end,' even if it meant sacrificing his career. He also criticized former colleagues for abandoning him, adding, 'There are people… who did me dirty.' Following the legal battles, Depp faced professional setbacks, including being dropped from major franchises like Fantastic Beasts and Pirates of the Caribbean. Despite the fallout, Depp emphasized his commitment to speaking his truth — regardless of the consequences.
