Craig McLachlan set to return to Aussie screens
Six years after being "crucified" in the public eye, Craig McLachlan is set to make his return to Aussie screens.
The 58-year-old was unexpectedly approached by movie producers who asked him to star in a new feature film, almost seven years since his last on-screen project.
Speaking exclusively with Daily Mail Australia, McLachlan said his return to the big screen had helped him deal with the "poisonous hate" that had eaten away at him since he was hounded out of the industry six years ago.
In 2018, McLachlan was forced to quit his leading role as Frank-N-Furter in a 2018 production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show after three of his former female co-stars accused him of serious inappropriate behaviour while performing alongside him four years earlier.
The former Neighbours star was charged with 13 offences of assault and indecent assault after Victoria Police investigated the allegations but he was ultimately acquitted on all counts following a four-week trial in December 2020.
Now, McLachlan candidly admitted that he was unlikely to ever find it in his heart to forgive the former co-stars who accused him of sexual harassment, and that he still blames them for "ruining" his life.
"Here's the thing: hate is a poisonous thing. You have to get rid of the hate – and I've done that," he said.
"Forgiveness is a different story. That’s hard s**t to do."
McLachlan said he had "fallen out of love" with show business after his "public crucifixion" but decided to accept the role after discussing the opportunity with long-term partner Vanessa Scammell.
"I only just went and met with the producers and the director last week and agreed to do it," he said.
"I wasn't expecting to be approached about a return to acting… and certainly not about signing on to do a film – it was a complete surprise."
"But it's a fantastic Australian production and Vanessa and I sat down and discussed it - and talked about whether it was the right thing for both of us. When you've had your life destroyed like mine has been, you need to take a little time to rest and recalibrate."
"I haven't rushed into anything. I needed to think about what we wanted to do and what - physically - I could do. And we decided this was the right thing for us."
McLachlan, who has been in therapy since the allegations first came to light, said he was grateful for his partner's support during the difficult few years, and is happy to be making his return to screen with a new lease on life.
"When the s**t kicks off in the media, people start running for cover and they're afraid to put their heads up to support you publicly because they're worried about them getting chopped off," he said.
"I'll be forever grateful to those people who did stand by me – people like Vanessa – who helped me keep going."
"Irrespective of what anyone has ever said or alleged about me, nothing I do or say would ever be done intentionally to make anyone else feel uncomfortable. I know that’s not who I am."
"But as for forgiveness? Ask me again about forgiveness a little further down the track."
Image credits: Getty Images