The Seven Network will air a documentary focused on actor Craig McLachlan’s response to sexual assault allegations after he was acquitted in court.
McLachlan had been charged with six common assault charges and seven indecent assault charges after allegations of sexual harassment by four actresses, primarily relating to his role in a 2014 production of the Rocky Horror Show.
Ultimately, Judge Belinda Wallington determined McLachlan as not guilty.
Wallington described the four complainants as “brave and honest”.
In her judgments, she said in reference to one allegation, “I am unable to exclude the possibility that an egotistical, self-entitled sense of humour led the accused to genuinely think that CC [name given to one of the women] was consenting to his actions.”
Wallington made her judgment based on Victoria’s 2014 consent laws – the year of the alleged results – which have since been changed.
McLachlan has embarked upon a defamation case against the ABC and Fairfax media.
The press release for the documentary, which Seven has titled Spotlight Presents: Horror Show, described public response to the trial.
“The public vilification was instant and unforgiving against the backdrop of Harvey Weinstein and the international #MeToo movement,” reads the release.
“McLachlan’s career was dead: he was stood down from The Rocky Horror Show and The Doctor Blake Mysteries and hasn’t been able to land a job since. Just before Christmas last year, he was acquitted of all crimes, but McLachlan’s fight to clear his name is far from over.”
Seven has described the documentary as “confronting and emotionally-charged”. McLachlan recently told The Australian that he attempted suicide as a result of the allegations.
The release ends by calling the documentary “a love story between McLachlan and his leading lady, Vanessa Scammell: how their relationship survived allegations that would have destroyed most couples.”
