Pirates of the Caribbean star Kevin McNally arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse after defending pal Johnny Depp
PIRATES of the Caribbean star Kevin McNally has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
The British actor, 67, was held shortly before he was due to attend the world’s largest Dr Who fan convention in Los Angeles.
McNally, who played Joshamee Gibbs — first mate to Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow — across all five Pirates movies, was released on bail of £40,000 and is due in court next month.
He is married to Bafta-winning actress Phyllis Logan but police declined to give details of his alleged victim, citing confidentiality rules.
At his family home in Chiswick, West London yesterday, Phyllis denied knowing about his arrest.
McNally appeared in Downton Abbey with Scots-born Phyllis, who played housekeeper Mrs Hughes.
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They had a son David in 1996 and married in 2011.
In 2021, he defended Pirates co-star Depp, 60, when he was accused of beating up his actress ex, Amber Heard.
He said: “I’ve never seen a hint of a dark side to him.
“I see a great humanitarian and a beautiful human being. I don’t see any impediment for him coming back and playing Jack Sparrow.”
McNally, arrested in the early hours of Friday, had been expected to appear at Dr Who fan convention Gallifrey One at a Marriott hotel in LA the next day.
Organisers announced on social media that he would not be appearing but told fans only that it was for personal reasons.
McNally appeared in the BBC sci-fi favourite in 1984 and again in 2021.
LA police said the Bristol-born actor was held on suspicion of inflicting an injury that caused a traumatic condition on a victim who was his current or former spouse, cohabitant, or child’s parent.
His agent was asked to comment.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.