Mark Benton
Mark Benton (born 16 November 1965)[1] is an English actor and television presenter. Known for his roles as Eddie in Early Doors, Howard in Northern Lights and Martin Pond in Barbara. Benton has also starred in BBC One school-based drama series, Waterloo Road as Mathematics teacher, Daniel "Chalky" Chalk from 2011 to 2013 and again in 2014. In 2003 Benton starred as Eddie in 2 series of Early Doors. In 2013, Benton took part in Strictly Come Dancing and in 2015, he hosted daytime game show The Edge.
Mark Benton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 November 1965 Guisborough, Yorkshire, England |
| Alma mater | RADA |
| Occupation | Actor, television presenter |
| Television | Barbara (1999–2003) Waterloo Road (2011–2014) Strictly Come Dancing (2013) The Edge (2015) My Kitchen Rules (2016–2017) Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators (2018–) |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Gardner |
| Children | 3 |
Since 2018 he has played the leading role of Frank Hathaway in Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators on BBC1.
Early life
Benton was born in Guisborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England and attended Sarah Metcalfe Comprehensive School and later, Stockton Billingham Technical College. Some of Benton's early acting experience came with Middlesbrough Youth Theatre, with performances in plays such as Atmos Fear and Twist.
Career
Benton has a recurring role as Father McBride in the James Nesbitt series Murphy's Law and has starred with Vic and Bob in the series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (remake), Catterick, and Monkey Trousers. In 1999, he played Mickeyo in the last episode of series 5, The Wedding, of Ballykissangel. He also appeared as an Earthly representative of the Devil in the 2003 ITV drama The Second Coming, and the 2005 ITV drama Planespotting. From 1999 to 2003 Benton played Martin Pond in sitcom Barbara. He has also starred in the BBC Three comedy I'm with Stupid and in the Doctor Who episode "Rose" as conspiracy theorist Clive. In late 2008, Benton starred in the ITV drama Britannia High and co-stars in Scoop, in which he plays Max de Lacey. Benton co-starred in the Roman Mysteries episode "The Slave Girl from Jerusalem".
Film roles include Ricky in Mike Leigh's Career Girls (1997), Phil in the 2001 cult British independent film Mr In-Between, and the British comedy Three and Out (2008). Benton featured in all three of The Booze Cruise episodes, with Martin Clunes and Brian Murphy, among others. In 1996 he appeared in Catherine’s Cookson “The Girl”.
Benton played the role of the bank manager in a string of 8 television commercials for the Nationwide Building Society, directed by Armando Iannucci, shown from 2004 to 2010.
In April 2008, Benton appeared as Jess Yates in the BBC Four drama Hughie Green, Most Sincerely.
Benton did the voiceover for the programme Street Doctor on BBC One.
Other roles have included Connor in Afterlife (2005), Dad in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), Hustle (2010), and Farmer Finch in the BBC's Land Girls.
Benton joined the cast of BBC drama Waterloo Road in its seventh series[2] as Daniel 'Chalky' Chalk, a Maths teacher until 6 March 2013 however, Benton returned for an episode in series 9.
In 2011, Benton appeared in The Railway Children at Waterloo Station in London as Mr Perks.
On BBC Radio 4, Benton starred as the optimistic title character Harvey Easter in Mr Blue Sky, written by Andrew Collins and broadcast in May and June 2011. A second series is due for May 2012. Benton has also played Fred the butcher in the televised series of episodes by Catherine Cookson.
In 2012, Benton appeared in the one-off special Panto! as Francis, the Director of the play. In July 2012, it was announced that Benton would star as Edna Turnblad in the 2013 UK tour of Hairspray the Musical, starting in February 2013 and finishing in September 2013.[3]
In 2015 Benton appeared as Police Constable Walt Everett in the BBC daytime series Father Brown, episode 3.12 "The Standing Stones". He also appeared as Les in the "La Couchette", the first episode of the second series of anthology series Inside No. 9. In 2015, Benton presented the BBC One daytime game show The Edge for its first series, being replaced by Gabby Logan.[4]
In 2016, UK progressive rock band Gandalf's Fist announced that Benton will voice several characters on their album "The Clockwork Fable"[5]
On the 21 August 2016, Benton played Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mendelssohn) in the BBC prom 48. Benton appeared as a bartender in the December 2016 Christmas Special of British Sitcom Outnumbered.
In 2017, he played Dennis Feldman in the ITV drama, The Halcyon.[6]
As of February 2018, Benton is currently starring as Frank Hathaway, alongside actress Jo Joyner in the new BBC daytime comedy drama Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.[7] Benton played the role of Eddie Rowbotham in episode 2 of the 20th season of Midsomer Murders ("Death of the Small Coppers").[8]
Strictly Come Dancing
In September 2013, Benton became one of the contestants in the eleventh series of the BBC One talent show Strictly Come Dancing, where he was partnered with world dancing champion Iveta Lukosiute. The couple left the show on week 10 after losing the public vote.[9]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | There's No Business | Barman | |
| 1996 | The Girl | Fred Loam | TV film |
| Lord of Misrule | Antler Man | TV film | |
| 1997 | Career Girls | Richard Burton | |
| Dilemma | SWAT Team | ||
| 1998 | The Sea Change | Derek | |
| 1999 | The Lost Son | Giant | |
| Topsy-Turvy | Mr. Price | ||
| Last Christmas | Father Christmas | TV film | |
| 2001 | Blow Dry | George | |
| Nice Guy Eddie | Tony Bentley | TV film | |
| A Small Summer Party | Euros | TV film | |
| Mr In-Between | Phil | ||
| Murphy's Law | McBride | TV film | |
| Redemption Road | Sherbert Man | ||
| 2002 | Crime and Punishment | Zosimov | TV film |
| All or Nothing | Man at Bar | ||
| Out of Control | Governor | TV film | |
| The Reckoning | Sheriff | ||
| 2003 | The Booze Cruise | Dave Bolton | TV film |
| Cheeky | Big Mick | ||
| 2004 | Lighthouse Hill | Peter | |
| Monkey Trousers | Various roles | TV film | |
| Gladiatress | Stage Manager/Hermes | ||
| Quite Ugly One Morning | Darren Mortlake | TV film | |
| King of Fridges | Alan | TV film | |
| Christmas Lights | Howie | TV film | |
| 2005 | Planespotting | Paul Coppin | TV film |
| The Booze Cruise II: The Treasure Hunt | Dave | TV film | |
| 2006 | The Booze Cruise III: The Scattering | Dave | TV film |
| If I Had You | Harry Fielding | TV film | |
| Breaking and Entering | Legge | ||
| Magnolia | Gregg | TV film | |
| 2008 | Hughie Green, Most Sincerely | Jess Yates | TV film |
| Three and Out | Vic | ||
| Flick | Sgt. Miller | ||
| Clash of the Santas | Howie | TV film | |
| 2009 | My Last Five Girlfriends | Alan | |
| The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus | Dad | ||
| Beyond the Pole | Graham | ||
| 2012 | Boys on Film 8: Cruel Britannia | Phil | |
| Steppin' Out with Katherine Jenkins | Eddie Finch | TV film | |
| Panto! | Francis de Winter | TV film | |
| Apples | Lamppost 1 | Voice role | |
| 2015 | Danny and the Human Zoo | Syd Noble | TV film |
| Eddie the Eagle | Richmond the BOA Official | ||
| National Theatre Live: As You Like It | Touchstone | ||
| 2017 | Anna and the Apocalypse | Tony Shepherd | |
| Ratburger | Gary | TV film | |
| 2018 | Torvill & Dean | Ted | TV film |
| 2019 | The Devil Went Down to Islington | Barry Grossman |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-1992 | Boon | Charlie Hardiman | Recurring role, 9 episodes |
| 1992 | Desmond's | Policeman | Episode: "Too Young" |
| 1993 | KYTV | Policeman | Episode: "Fly on the Walls" |
| 1994 | Moving Story | Detective Constable Halford | Episode: "Charlotte, Emma, Bamber & Anne" |
| Finney | Billy | Series regular, 6 episodes | |
| 1995 | The Bill | Patrick Hughson | Episode: "Hit and Miss" |
| Kavanagh QC | Sergeant Redbridge | Episode: "Heartland" | |
| 1996 | Roger and the Rottentrolls | Mook | Episode: "The Rubbish Monster" |
| Screen Two | Ambulance Man | Episode: "Crossing the Floor" | |
| 1997 | See You Friday | Bernie | 2 episodes |
| Dalziel and Pascoe | Jonathan Etherege | Episode: "Ruling Passion" | |
| All Quiet on the Preston Front | Episode: "Diesel's Ostrich" | ||
| 1998 | Kiss Me Kate | Client | Episode: "Calendar" |
| The Jump | Timmy Lambert | Mini-series, 3 episodes | |
| 1999 | Eureka Street | Chuckle | Mini-series, 4 episodes |
| Ballykissangel | Mickeyo | Episode: "The Wedding" | |
| 1999–2003 | Barbara | Martin Pond | Series Regular, 24 episodes |
| 2000 | As Time Goes By | Paul Partridge | Episode: "Going Online" |
| Gimme Gimme Gimme | Bob Hobbs | Episode: "Stiff" | |
| This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper | Terence Hawkshaw | Mini-series, 2 episodes | |
| Nature Boy | Fred | Mini-series | |
| Holby City | Gavin Cunningham | Episode: "Into the Woods" | |
| Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) | Harry Wallis | Episode: "A Blast from the Past" | |
| Comedy Lab | Barry Anderson | Episode: "Anderson" | |
| Human Remains | Leighton | Episode: "All Over My Glasses" | |
| 2001 | Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible | Sergeant Rohmer | Episode: "Frenzy of Tongs" |
| Micawber | Ezra | Episode: "Micawber Learns the Truth" | |
| 2002 | Breeze Block | Mr. Shields | Series regular, 6 episodes |
| Nice Guy Eddie | Tony Bentley | Series 1, Episode 1 | |
| 2003 | The Second Coming | Johnny Tyler | Mini-series, 2 episodes |
| Swiss Toni | Crazy Alan | 2 episodes | |
| Clocking Off | Colin Wilkes | Recurring role, 5 episodes | |
| 40 | Gregory | Mini-series, 3 episodes | |
| 2003–2004 | Murphy's Law | Father McBride | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| Early Doors | Eddie | Series Regular, 12 episodes | |
| 2004 | Family Business | Graham Kirk | Series 1, Episode 5 |
| Catterick | Mark | Series regular, 6 episodes | |
| Born and Bred | Mr. Ffotherington | Episode: "More Than You Know" | |
| 2005 | Doctor Who | Clive | Episode: "Rose" |
| Twisted Tales | Trev | Episode: "Guardian" | |
| The Inspector Lynley Mysteries | Professor Elias Blackwell | Episode: "Word of God" | |
| Afterlife | Connor McClune | Episode: "Misdirection" | |
| 2006 | Northern Lights | Howie | Series regular, 6 episodes |
| Comedy Doubles | Commentator | Series regular, 6 episodes | |
| I'm with Stupid | Sheldon | Recurring role, 3 episodes | |
| 2007 | Fallen Angel | Eddie | Episode: "The Four Last Things" |
| City Lights | Howie | Series regular, 6 episodes | |
| The Street | Wayne Taylor | Recurring role, 4 episodes | |
| 2008 | The Slammer | Mr. Beltham | Series 2, Episode 13 |
| Roman Mysteries | Floridius | Recurring role, 2 episodes | |
| Britannia High | Mr. Nugent | Series regular, 8 episodes | |
| 2009 | Desperate Romantics | Mr. Chadwick | Mini-series, 2 episodes |
| The Fixer | Leo Westbrook | Recurring role, 2 episodes | |
| Blue Murder | Neville Notts | Episode: "Inside" | |
| Personal Affairs | Iain Ebelthite | Mini-series, 5 episodes | |
| 2009-2011 | Land Girls | Farmer Finch | Series Regular, 15 episodes |
| Scoop | Max de Lacey | Series regular, 39 episodes | |
| 2010 | Hustle | Finch | Episode: "The Thieving Mistake" |
| Coming Up | Phil | Episode: "I Don't Care" | |
| 2011 | Silent Witness | Patrick Cain | Episode: "Lost" |
| Inspector George Gently | Geoff Blackburn | Episode: "Goodbye China" | |
| 2011-2012 | Mr Blue Sky | Harvey Easter | Series regular, 10 episodes |
| 2011–2014 | Waterloo Road | Daniel Chalk | Series Regular, 49 episodes |
| 2012 | White Van Man | Kenny Knobbler | Episode: "Cupboard" |
| 2013 | Walk on the Wild Side | Various roles | Series 3, Episode 3 |
| 2014 | The Job Lot | Gary Pickles | Series 2, Episode 6 |
| Psychobitches | Mrs. Noah | Series 2, Episode 3 | |
| Educating Bitchfield | Mr. Lister | Episode: "School on Report" | |
| 2015 | Father Brown | Walt Everett | Episode: "The Standing Stones" |
| The Holidaymakers | Narrator | Series regular, 8 episodes | |
| Inside No. 9 | Les | Episode: "La Couchette" | |
| BBC Comedy Feeds | Phil | Episode: "Fishbowl" | |
| Doctors | Mal McBride | Episode: "The Heart of England" | |
| 2016 | Outnumbered | Brian | Christmas Special |
| Damned | Mike | Series 1, Episode 5 | |
| 2017 | The Halcyon | Feldman | Series regular, 8 episodes |
| Tracey Ullman's Show | Mayor Bob | Series 2, Episode 6 | |
| 2018 | Death in Paradise | Les Doyle | Episode: "The Stakes Are High" |
| Midsomer Murders | Eddie Rowbotham | Episode: "Death of the Small Coppers" | |
| 2018–present | Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators | Frank Hathaway | Series regular, 40 episodes |
Personal life
Benton has been married to Sarah Gardner since 2002. He is a supporter of Middlesbrough F.C. and has featured in the club's official website advertising campaign to encourage other fans to renew their season tickets. He is a patron of Zöe's Place Baby Hospice, a charity for sick babies and young children.
References
- Mark Benton, IMDb. Retrieved 2013-10-06.
- "Green, Benton join 'Waterloo Road'". Digital Spy. 20 July 2010.
- Matthew Hemley (July 2013) "Mark Benton to star in UK tour of Hairspray", The Stage. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
- "Series 1, The Edge - BBC One". BBC.
- Martin Kielty (15 February 2016). "Teamrock News: Gandalf's Fist name Clockwork Fable actors". teamrock.com. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
- "Meet the cast of The Halcyon". RadioTimes. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/shakespeare-and-hathaway%7Ctitle=BBC - Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators - Media Centre|website=www.bbc.co.uk}
- ""Midsomer Murders" Death of the Small Coppers (TV Episode 2018)". IMDb. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- John Ferguson (12 September 2013) "Hairspray star Mark Benton rehearses with partner Iveta ahead of Strictly Come Dancing ", Daily Record. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
