The Shocking Truth: 5 Major Updates On Gary King's Below Deck Lawsuit And Uncertain Future In 2025

The tumultuous career of Gary King, the charismatic yet controversial First Officer of Below Deck Sailing Yacht (BDSY), has reached a critical juncture in 2025 following explosive legal action. As of December 18, 2025, the reality TV star is facing a highly publicized lawsuit that has cast a long shadow over his future in the yachting industry and his relationship with the Bravo network.

The latest developments center on serious allegations of sexual misconduct stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred during the filming of BDSY Season 4, which has led to a major shift in his public and professional life and left fans questioning if he will ever return to the show.

Gary King: Full Biography and Below Deck Career Timeline

Gary King is a South African yachtie and reality television personality best known for his long-running role as the First Officer, or Bosun, on Bravo’s popular spin-off, Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

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• Full Name: Gary King
• Nationality: South African
• Date of Birth: July 13, 1990
• Age (as of 2025): 35
• Primary Role on BDSY: First Officer / Bosun
• Yachting Experience: Over 12 years in the industry, including captaining smaller vessels and running the deck on superyachts.
• Below Deck Seasons: Seasons 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
• Signature Yacht: The luxury sailing yacht Parsifal III.
• Notable Co-Stars: Captain Glenn Shephard, Daisy Kelliher, Colin MacRae.

King quickly became a standout cast member after joining the show in Season 2, known for his flirtatious "boatmances," often involving complicated love triangles with co-stars like Daisy Kelliher and Ashley Marti.

Despite his on-screen antics, he was consistently praised by Captain Glenn Shephard for his competence as a First Officer, leading to his return for four consecutive seasons, including the most recent Season 5 which took place in Ibiza, Spain.

The February 2025 Sexual Battery Lawsuit and Allegations

The most significant and career-defining update for Gary King in 2025 is the formal lawsuit filed against him. In February 2025, King was sued for sexual battery, assault, and harassment by two former members of the Below Deck Sailing Yacht production crew: Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston.

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This legal action has brought the reality star's public image to an unprecedented low, moving beyond typical reality TV drama into serious legal territory.

Details of the Allegations

The core of the controversy stems from an incident that allegedly occurred during the filming of Season 4 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

The initial allegations came from Samantha Suarez, a former makeup artist for the show. She claimed that Gary King attempted to sexually assault her in his cabin while filming Season 4.

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The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, names not only Gary King but also the production company, 51 Minds Entertainment, Bravo, and its parent company, NBCUniversal.

The plaintiffs, Suarez and her boyfriend, Grey Duddleston, a former BDSY crew member, allege that the network and production companies failed to protect them and allegedly attempted to cover up the incident.

This case has drawn comparison to other high-profile scandals within the Bravo universe and has created a major public relations crisis for the entire Below Deck franchise.

Gary King's Uncertain Future: Firing and Career in Limbo

The fallout from the allegations and subsequent lawsuit has had immediate and severe consequences for King's professional life, particularly his long-standing relationship with Bravo and the *Below Deck* franchise.

1. Reported Firing from Bravo

Following the public emergence of the allegations, reports surfaced indicating that Gary King had been fired from Bravo. King himself reportedly posted on social media confirming his removal from the network due to the controversy.

While he was heavily featured in the recently concluded Season 5 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, that season was filmed before the full details of the lawsuit became public, meaning his on-screen presence does not reflect his current employment status.

2. Yachting Career Status

With his reality TV career on hold, King's status in the professional yachting industry is currently described as "in limbo."

He is a highly experienced yachtie, having worked as a First Mate and Captain for over a decade, but the severity of the sexual misconduct claims makes securing a high-profile position on a superyacht exceedingly difficult.

In a recent life update, King shared details of a month-long sailing journey he completed, moving a vessel from Cape Town to Mallorca, suggesting he is still actively working in the sailing world, albeit away from the cameras.

3. Transformation and Personal Updates

Amidst the professional turmoil, Gary King has shared personal updates with his followers, including a significant physical transformation. He debuted a fresh, short haircut and has been documenting his adventures outside of the show.

He has also made posts referencing his struggles with sobriety, noting that his month-long sailing journey from Cape Town to Mallorca also marked the end of a period of sobriety for him.

4. The Future of BDSY Season 6

The biggest question for fans remains whether Gary King will return for Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 6. Given the pending lawsuit and the reports of his firing, his return is highly uncertain.

The franchise has a history of removing cast members following serious misconduct allegations, and the network will likely be cautious about bringing him back while the sexual battery lawsuit against him, NBCUniversal, and the production company is ongoing. The focus for the network is now on managing the fallout and addressing the legal claims made by Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston.

5. King's Response to Allegations

While the lawsuit is ongoing, Gary King has reportedly issued a response to the sexual assault claims. Though the specifics of his legal defense are not fully public, his response is a key component of the legal battle.

The legal process, involving entities like NBCUniversal and 51 Minds, suggests a protracted legal battle that will continue to dominate discussions about the Below Deck franchise throughout 2025 and beyond.