‘SAS Australia’: Is This Craig McLachlan’s Most Controversial Appearance Yet?

Warning: This article deals with an account assault and may be triggering for survivors of abuse.

Craig McLachlan is making his return to primetime television on SAS Australia 2023. The controversial actor is venturing into the desert to attempt one of the world’s hardest special ops initiation processes. But will his participation in SAS Australia be the act of redemption that Craig’s hoping for?

Here’s what you need to know about him ahead of the show’s new season.

SAS Australia 2023: Who Is Craig McLachlan?

Craig McLachlan is an actor best known for his work on Neighbours, Home and Away, and his leading role on The Doctor Blake Mysteries. His popularity in the late 80s led to his Gold Logie win in 1990 and a number of Silver Logies in the years to come.

However, McLachlan’s recent years have been filled with controversy.

In a new preview for the upcoming season of SAS Australia, Craig is seen shedding a tear and opening up about his charges and five-years of court cases.

“I was found not guilty,” an emotional Craig tells Ant Middleton, DS Team leader.

What Was Craig McLachlan Accused of Doing?

In 2018, actress Christie Whelan Browne detailed her experiences working alongside McLachlan in the 2014 production of the Rocky Horror Show. These acts were allegedly committed by her former co-worker, Craig McLachlan. Three other women also came forward with similar accounts, and McLachlan was charged with seven indecent assault charges and six common assault charges.

However, the charges against McLachlan were dropped in late 2020 after the testimonies of the four plaintiffs were ruled as insufficient evidence by the presiding magistrate. A number of follow up lawsuits have been filed by both parties claiming defamation.

Both McLachlan and Whelan Browne have been open about the trauma that the five-year proceedings have imparted onto them.

We’re likely to hear more confessions from Craig McLachlan on the new season of SAS Australia 2023 — airing in October only on Channel 7 and 7Plus. You can stream previous seasons online at 7Plus.

If this article brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) — the National Sexual Assault, domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service.