Across
Approach clear river (8)
Band claiming place in big story (6)
Tyranny of a tsar not working with militia (15)
Shout about extreme characters flipping switch in game (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of AZ inserted into CRY, followed by FLOG reversed. The insertion indicator is ‘about’. ‘Switch’ for FLOG is a usage I wasn’t familiar with, but it’s in all the dictionaries.
Wise knight entering lake (5)
Order in official document about author (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of OM for Order of Merit in VISA, all reversed. The insertion indicator is ‘in’.
Bathroom units replaced in midweek? (7)
Music-maker's raincoat shortly getting tailored (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
(RAINCOA[T])* with ‘getting tailored’ as the anagrind. A little-used musical instrument which appears in crosswordland much more frequently than its popularity would warrant, presumably because naff all else fits O?A?I?A.
Religious figure's friend had converted (6)
Allowed to take flight (5)
Put lid on e.g. German snack (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of SCOTCH, EG and G.
Soap opera embracing script's cordiality (15)
Outskirts of city restricting bright grey? (6)
Convince Edward a US representative to make a comeback (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A reversal of ED, A, US and REP.
Down
Plump spies breaking in looking professional? (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of OPT and an insertion of CIA in IN. The insertion indicator is ‘breaking’.
Silent actor's bonus (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A dd.
Call from Hunt to agree with House (7)
Sell out absorbing current quota (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of I in RAT ON. I is the symbol for electrical current. The insertion indicator is ‘absorbing’.
Award gold for lack of improvement? (7)
Estranged cadet a 'Neil Armstrong' returned for a bit (9)
Minimal settlement for lead in drama (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A dd.
Contemptuous sporting authority involved in lying (7)
Noticing flying object initially unidentified (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A charade of (NOTICING)* and O for the initial letter of ‘object’. The anagrind is ‘flying’.
Head of AC-12 arresting Detective Sergeant etc (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An insertion of DS in A NOON. A is ‘head of AC’ and ’12’ gives you ‘noon’. The insertion indicator is ‘arresting’ and the surface is a clever reference to the popular drama Line of Duty , where AC-12 was Anti-Corruption Unit 12.
Charity resettled majority of grey seals (8)
Did gag take lead from broken-hearted? (7)
Monkeys feature in limitless curse (7)
Almost register to secure popular health centre (6)
Rough journey for auditors (6)
Medical procedure involved in gene mapping (5)
Type letters or click words in the clue