Mark Stanley's Line of Duty star girlfriend and playing 'horrendous ...

29 Jan 2023

Mark Stanley is currently making viewers squirm and throw things at the TV as the horrible, controlling PE teacher, Rob Hepworth in Sally Wainwright's smash hit BBC drama, Happy Valley. While his villainy is different to main baddie, Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton), his manipulative and controlling ways are just as evil and we see him take this out on both his wife, Joanna and Catherine Cawood's grandson Ryan.

As the series draws to a close - there are spoilers below - we're left thinking how Rob will deal with the discovery of his wife's body in their garage and hopefully his sad daughters will go to live with their grandparents and the little one will finally take her coat off. But, who is the man behind the vile Rob? Actor Mark Stanley has been a stalwart of UK drama for almost a decade and his dependable place at the heart of the country's primetime TV series is solidified off screen with his real-life partner who's starred in Line of Duty, Doctor Who and Criminal: UK.

Read more: BBC Happy Valley stars have no idea how series will conclude as different endings have been filmed

Mark's other half is Rochenda Sandall who fans will best recognise as Lisa McQueen from series five of Line of Duty. The high-ranking OCG member oversaw the brutal murder of Stephen Graham's character, John Corbett, and viewers fumed at the end of that series as she was placed in a witness protection programme.

Rochenda is a familiar face, too

Grimbsy-born Rochenda and Mark have reportedly been a couple for around 15 years and they met while they were both studying at East 15 Acting School. They appeared together in 2017 series Love, Lies and Records and also starred in the BBC anthology drama Small Axe, though in different episodes. The sometime stage actress has recently been seen in Amazon's flagship thriller, The Rig.

Mark, originally from Leeds, has been in some high-profile drama series ahead of playing Rob Hepworth in Happy Valley. The controlling character is currently in a big dilemma after discovering the body of his murdered wife, Joanna (Mollie Winnard) and, while he didn't do it, Sarah Lancashire's Catherine Cawood already has his card marked for domestic abuse.

You'll have seen Mark in the past year in The Thief, His Wife and a Canoe and Trigger Point opposite Vicky McClure. He had a role in Game of Thrones as Grenn, White House Farm as Colin Caffell and cop dramas Honour and The Bay.

Mark with Vicky McClure in Trigger Point (Image: ITV)

He spoke recently about being recognised for his famous roles and predicted that Happy Valley fans might not be as appreciative over his portrayal of Rob. He told whattowatch.com: "Viewers really got on board with Trigger Point and The Thief, his Wife and a Canoe. I’m happy to say I haven’t been approached by any Happy Valley fans yet. Because Rob’s so horrible, I don’t think they’ll be coming to me with bunches of flowers but sticks to beat me with!"

Happy Valley has two episodes left, airing on Sunday, January 29 and Sunday, February 5. Fans already have their predictions how the series will end, while we've made the (extremely strong) case why the Sally Wainwright show is the best UK drama, ever - read that here. For the latest news on the series and from the world of TV and Showbiz, then sign up to WalesOnline's newest newsletter here.

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