Matthew Newton

2.1. Acting Career

Newton began his acting career in television, starring in the children's series Sugar and Spice in 1988 and the drama series Late For School in 1992. His film debut came in 1993 in Body Melt. In 2000, he appeared in My Mother Frank and gained significant recognition for his role as John Barton in the film adaptation of the teen novel Looking for Alibrandi, starring alongside Pia Miranda.

He expanded into international productions, appearing in the Australian/American science fiction series Farscape as the character Jothee in 2001 and as the vampire Armand in the 2002 film Queen of the Damned. Other notable television roles include The Surgeon (2005), the improvisation comedy show Thank God You're Here (2006-2008), and Stupid, Stupid Man (2006-2008), where he played features writer Nick Driscoll. In 2009, he notably portrayed protagonist Terry 'Mr Asia' Clark in Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities.

In film, he also appeared in Face to Face and The Lie, both released in 2011. In November 2013, Newton directed and starred in an off-Broadway production of Hamlet in New York City.

2.2. Directing and Writing Career

Beyond acting, Newton has also made significant contributions as a director and writer. In 2008, he wrote, directed, and starred in the feature film Three Blind Mice. This film premiered internationally at the Toronto International Film Festival and was awarded the Critics Prize at the 2008 London Film Festival.

After relocating to the United States, Newton continued his work behind the camera. Since 2016, he has produced, directed, and written several films, including From Nowhere (2016), for which he served as director, producer, and writer. In 2017, he directed and wrote Who We Are Now. In 2020, he was credited as a writer for the film Ava, although he ultimately stepped down from his initial role as director due to public controversy.

2.3. Other Media Engagements

Newton's career also involved appearances in other media formats. In 2006, he appeared on the New Year's Eve episode of The Big Night In with John Foreman on Network Ten. His segment drew criticism from viewers and media outlets like The Daily Telegraph for engaging in simulated sex acts and suggestive activities, which was described as "sub-standard coverage."

In January 2007, Newton was signed to co-host The Matt and Boothy Show with comedian Akmal Saleh on Nova 96.9 radio, a role reportedly worth up to 200.00 K AUD annually. However, he was fired on January 15, 2007, after allegations of assault involving his then-girlfriend, actress Brooke Satchwell, became public. He was subsequently replaced by television actress Kate Ritchie.

In 2010, Newton was announced as the host for the Australian version of The X Factor on the Seven Network. However, following two domestic violence incidents in August 2010 involving his then-girlfriend Rachael Taylor in Rome, Newton resigned from The X Factor based on "medical advice." He also performed "The Christmas Song" at the annual Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in 2009.

3.1. 2006-2009: Relationships and Early Allegations

In 2006, Matthew Newton ended his relationship with actress Brooke Satchwell. On October 16, 2006, he was arrested and charged with intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm concerning incidents that allegedly occurred on September 13 and October 6 of that year. Newton denied these charges.

Initially facing four charges, Newton later pleaded guilty to one count of common assault on May 21, 2007. In exchange for his plea, police agreed to drop the more severe charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking and intimidating Satchwell. On June 12, Newton appeared in court, where he formally pleaded guilty to common assault and was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond. Magistrate Paul Cloran recorded a conviction against Newton, emphasizing the necessity of recording a conviction despite character references submitted on Newton's behalf.

However, in July 2007, Newton's conviction was overturned on medical grounds. His solicitor, Chris Murphy, presented a letter from Newton's psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Hampshire, which detailed Newton's depressive illness and stated that he was unlikely to reoffend. Judge Joseph Moore, in his ruling, asserted that Newton's celebrity status did not grant him special consideration and acknowledged that the intense media attention he received had served as a "considerable measure of punishment."

In November 2009, following the GQ Men's Award Night, Newton's hotel room in Kings Cross, Sydney, was severely damaged. Media reports estimated the damage to be over 9.00 K AUD. The room had been booked under the name of his then-girlfriend, actress Rachael Taylor. Newton departed the hotel the day after the incident without formally checking out. The New South Wales Police investigated the matter, but no charges were ultimately laid.

3.2. 2010-2012: Domestic Violence and Further Charges

In August 2010, actress Rachael Taylor obtained an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against Matthew Newton. This action followed two serious domestic violence incidents that occurred at a hotel in Rome. During these incidents, Newton allegedly "punched Taylor in the face before being sedated by ambulance officers," resulting in Taylor suffering a concussion and a sprained jaw. Media reports from this period also highlighted Newton's alleged heavy use of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine, suggesting that his behavior was linked to "drug-fuelled schizophrenia."

In February 2011, Newton was charged with breaching the terms of his AVO. He was subsequently released on bail and ordered to appear in court in March 2011.

On December 4, 2011, Newton was alleged to have assaulted a 66-year-old taxi driver on two occasions in the Sydney suburb of Crows Nest. He was charged with common assault in connection with this incident and appeared in court in January 2012. The matter was initially adjourned to April 2012 and then further postponed for three months as Newton faced separate charges in the United States.

In April 2012, Newton was arrested twice in Miami, Florida. The first arrest occurred on April 7, when he was charged with trespassing and resisting officers. On April 17, he was arrested again and charged with battery and resisting arrest after allegedly attacking a hotel receptionist. Following these arrests, his lawyer stated publicly that individuals with bipolar disorder, like Newton, require patience and support, confirming that Newton was continuing treatment.

On November 14, 2012, both matters in Miami were dismissed. The dismissal was conditional upon Newton completing 50 hours of community service, writing a letter of apology to the hotel clerk, Ariel Bory Vargas, paying 11.50 K USD in restitution to Vargas, and agreeing to stay away from both Vargas and Mr. Moe's, the bar where the trespassing incident allegedly occurred.

3.3. 2016-present: Relocation and Public Reaction

In the 2010s, Matthew Newton relocated to the United States, eventually settling in New York City. In 2016, he became engaged to Catherine Schneiderman, the daughter of American politician Eric Schneiderman, and they married in 2017. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife.

In August 2018, actress Jessica Chastain faced public criticism for her decision to work with Newton on the film Ava. Chastain was a co-producer on the film, and Newton had been selected as both its writer and director. Critics pointed out that appointing Newton to these roles appeared to contradict Chastain's active involvement in the Time's Up campaign, which advocates against sexual harassment and assault.

In response to the backlash, Newton subsequently stepped down from his role as director of Ava. He issued a statement addressing the controversy:
Yesterday I notified Jessica Chastain and the other producers on the film 'Eve' that I will be stepping down as director. Since the announcement of this film, the responses, which are powerful and important, have not fallen on deaf ears.
Over the past eight years I have been working extensively with health care professionals to help me overcome my addiction and mental health illness. For the past six years I have lived a quiet and sober life. All I can do now is try to be a living amends and hopefully contribute to the positive change occurring in our industry.

4.1. Films

4.2. Television