Craig McLachlan’s replacement in next year’s national tour of Cluedo has been revealed.
The actor and singer, who was set to make his big theatrical comeback in the production, was forced to pull out in September after being bullied on social media.
Now, it’s been announced that Rhys Muldoon will be stepping into his role as Colonel Mustard in the show, which is based on the 1985 film Clue.
The Aussie actor has appeared in TV series such as Chances, Big Sky, The Secret Life of Us and House Husbands.
Also making up the cast is Genevieve Lemon as Mrs Peacock, Rachael Beck as Mrs White, Octavia Barron Martin as the Cook and Laurence Boxhall as Mr Green.
Lib Campbell will be portraying Yvette, David James will be playing Professor Plum and former Home and Away star Olivia Deeble will be in the role of Miss Scarlet.
Craig McLachlan’s (pictured) replacement in next year’s national tour of Cluedo has been revealed
Now, it’s been announced that Rhys Muldoon (pictured) will be stepping into his role as Colonel Mustard in the show, which is based on the 1985 film Clue
McLachlan withdrew from the 2026 tour of Cluedo, a play based on the popular board game, following industry backlash in September.
In a video statement shared to his Instagram, McLachlan said he was targeted in a social media campaign which ultimately ‘impacted those involved in the production’.
He revealed that he and two other actors were targets of the bullying, along with others close to him.
‘The bullying even extends to my partner, Vanessa, and our friends and family,’ he said.
‘Only days before the announcement, I made it very clear that I didn’t want my inclusion in the cast to impact negatively on any of the other actors.
‘Those two actors mentioned alongside me have been and continue to be harassed and bullied by their peers… I cannot and will not let my involvement in a show result in good people being targeted by trolls and bullies. I have therefore made the decision to withdraw from the production.’
Cluedo would have marked McLachlan’s return to the stage since being effectively blacklisted by the industry eight years ago following allegations of sexual assault and harassment during productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
He was forced to quit his leading role as Frank-N-Furter in 2018 after three female co-stars accused him of harassment while performing alongside him four years earlier.
Cluedo would have marked McLachlan’s return to the stage since being effectively blacklisted by the industry eight years ago following allegations of sexual assault and harassment during productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
He was forced to quit his leading role as Frank-N-Furter in 2018 after three female co-stars accused him of harassment while performing alongside him four years earlier. He was acquitted on all counts following a four-week trial in December 2020
He faced 13 charges of assault and indecent assault but was acquitted on all counts following a four-week trial in December 2020.
McLachlan, who has always vehemently denied the allegations, said he had suffered crippling anxiety as a result of the ordeal and had been apprehensive about a return to the limelight.
He recently said he managed to overcome his anxiety with the help of ‘the best psychiatrist in Australia’ – and by playing guitar alongside country crooner Andy Penkow in a series of pub rock gigs around the country.
McLachlan said his therapy – both on his psychiatrist’s couch and on stage with Penkow – helped him finally overcome much of the rage that has consumed him since the allegations against him were first aired.
The one-time Neighbours star had been a fixture of the Australian entertainment industry for more than three decades before his career collapsed over the scandal.
McLachlan has kept a low profile in recent years, but appeared on the reality series, SAS Australia, in 2023.
