Craig McLachlan Steps Away from Cluedo Stage Role Amid Backlash
Actor Craig McLachlan has officially stepped down from his role in the upcoming Australian stage production of Cluedo , just days after it was announced he would be joining the cast. His casting sparked a wave of criticism from both the theatre community and the public, and the controversy quickly overshadowed the production itself.
McLachlan had been set to play Colonel Mustard in the adaptation, which is based on the cult 1985 film Clue and the classic board game. But less than a week after the announcement, the actor issued a statement saying he had been targeted in a coordinated social media campaign that extended not only to him but also to his fellow cast members, the production team, and even members of his own family. He described the reaction as a form of bullying and explained that, while the decision was painful, he believed withdrawing was the best way to protect others from ongoing scrutiny.
Adding to the emotional weight of the situation, McLachlan revealed that he delayed speaking out publicly because of the death of his mother, whom he had cared for over the past eight years. The loss had left him grieving at the same time as he was dealing with the intense backlash to his casting.
Also Read:- Coachella 2026 Announces Star-Studded Headliners
- Starmer Faces Deepening Crisis After Ovenden Resigns
The show’s producer, John Frost of Crossroads Live, also released a statement acknowledging the criticism and apologising for any distress the casting had caused. Frost admitted that it was his decision to bring McLachlan into the production but said he had listened to the feedback from both the theatre industry and audiences.
For McLachlan, the Cluedo role was meant to mark his first major stage appearance since 2017, when he reprised his role as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show . However, that same year, he faced allegations of sexual assault made by several women who had worked with him on an earlier tour. In 2020, he was found not guilty of all charges, though the presiding judge described the women as brave and credible witnesses, noting that changes to consent laws that came after the alleged incidents might have led to a different legal outcome.
Despite being cleared, McLachlan’s public reputation has remained contentious. In 2022, he abandoned a defamation case against the ABC, Fairfax Media, and one of his accusers, citing the toll on his mental health. His attempted return to the stage with Cluedo was seen by some as a comeback, but by others as a troubling reminder of unresolved questions within the industry about safety, accountability, and the treatment of women.
The Australian tour of Cluedo is still set to premiere in Brisbane in January before heading to Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney. Other cast members, including Genevieve Lemon and Grant Piro, remain attached to the production. For now, though, the spotlight has shifted away from the play itself and onto the broader conversation about McLachlan’s place in the theatre world—and whether audiences are ready to see him return.
Read More:
0 Comments