Actor Orpheus Pledger, known for his roles in Home & Away and Neighbours, has been accused of assault against a woman. His manager, Craig McMahon, expressed shock at the allegations and condemned violence against women. McMahon also revealed that Pledger has a history of mental health issues and had tried to access treatment in the past. Pledger had been living in Sydney while filming Home & Away but has since returned to Melbourne.
McMahon described Pledger as a “beautiful, creative human” who had been let down by the mental health system. Pledger had a troubled stint on the reality show SAS Australia in 2022, where his “erratic behavior” raised concerns. He voluntarily left the show early after admitting he wanted to go home during a discussion about the program’s demanding training. Despite this, McMahon insisted that Pledger had cooperated with his management team’s efforts to seek help.
Pledger began his acting career as a child actor on The Secret Life of Us before landing a role on Neighbours in 2011. He then went on to portray Mason Morgan on Home & Away from 2016 to 2019. His most recent television appearance was on SAS Australia, where his struggles with the program led to his early departure. Pledger is scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 10 to address the assault allegations.
The assault allegations against Pledger have left McMahon and his management team devastated. McMahon emphasized that Pledger is a young man and expressed sympathies for everyone involved in the situation. He criticized the mental health services for blocking their attempts to get help for Pledger, stressing that many others also face difficulties in accessing much-needed mental health support. Pledger’s lawyer has been contacted for comment, and it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold for the actor.
Despite his talents as an actor, Pledger has faced challenges with mental health and public scrutiny. His struggles on SAS Australia raised concerns about his ability to cope with pressure and demanding situations. McMahon has continued to support Pledger, citing his creative abilities and positive qualities. Pledger’s case highlights the importance of mental health support and the challenges many individuals face in accessing adequate care. The upcoming court appearance on May 10 will shed further light on the allegations against Pledger and the legal process that he will have to navigate.
