Orpheus Pledger

Orpheus Pledger (11 May 1993) is an Australian actor, who started his career as a child performer. He played Tycho Everson in the children's series Silversun and, in 2011, appeared as Noah Parkin in Neighbours. From 2016 to 2019, Pledger starred as Mason Morgan in the Australian soap opera Home and Away.

Career
In 2002, as an eight-year-old, Pledger starred in writer-director Emma Freeman's short film Lamb. In the following year, he began appearing as Lewis Harfield in the drama series CrashBurn. In 2004, Pledger starred as Tycho Everson in the children's science fiction series Silversun. He also made guest appearances in The Secret Life of Us, Welcher & Welcher, Scooter: Secret Agent and Nick Giannopoulos' film The Wannabes.

In 2011, Pledger joined the cast of Neighbours as student Noah Parkin. Pledger's agent told him about the role and asked him to read through Noah's character notes. After deciding that he wanted the role, Pledger attended a screen test with the Neighbours casting director. After a recall, Pledger was told he had the role. He was contracted for six months. In 2014, Pledger appeared in the Nine Network television film Schapelle.

On 5 December 2015, Jonathon Moran of The Daily Telegraph reported that Pledger had joined Home and Away as Mason Morgan. He relocated from Melbourne to Sydney for the filming. He chose to leave the role in 2019, and his character was killed off in the season finale on 27 November.

In February 2022, Pledger took part in Season 3 of SAS Australia, but voluntarily withdrew after two days. He quit during a psychological evaluation by Ant Middleton and Doctor Dan to discuss his "erratic behaviour", after he was shown refusing to help out at the camp and receiving criticism from his fellow recruits.

Personal life
On 19 February 2021, Pledger was charged with possessing half a gram of methylamphetamine, and 30 tablets of Diazepam, without a prescription. During the hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 16 November, which Pledger did not attend, he accepted responsibility for the charges and was placed on a diversion program, which meant he did not have to enter a plea and was spared a criminal record. The magistrate also ordered Pledger to be of good behaviour for six months, donate $150 to the court fund, complete a drug awareness course, and thank the officer who charged him.

On 25 March 2024, Pledger was arrested for an alleged assault on a woman, and was remanded in custody after bail was refused. On 23 April, Pledger was set to appear via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a bail hearing, but failed to appear, having absconded from the Royal Melbourne Hospital while waiting for a medical assessment. His bail was revoked, an arrest warrant issued, and the case rescheduled to be heard on 10 May. Two days later, he was arrested by police and taken into custody. On 1 July 2024, Pledger pleaded guilty to causing injury and unlawful assault. Sentencing was adjourned until 3 July to allow an assessment of Pledger's suitability for a community corrections order. His lawyer stated that Pledger's mental health deteriorated after he tried to pursue a career in Hollywood. However, an acting role in the series The 100 fell through, and he began using methylamphetamine. on the 4th of July Pledger was released from jail.