Mark Williams is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Robert Powell.
Powell stated that he was looking forward to the opportunity to develop the character over a longer period of time than with the briefer acting roles he was more used to taking.
One series 7 plot strand saw Tricia diagnosed with breast cancer, and as Hobley explained: "Chrissie is extremely supportive and they start to become much closer.
"[1] When Tricia was abandoned by her boyfriend, plastic surgeon character Carlos Fashola, Chrissie took it upon herself to seek out her father, hoping to reunite her family before it was too late.
"[2] Having signed a contract to appear in the show for at least a year, Robert Powell spoke of his introductory storyline with enthusiasm, stating that "With three Williamses on the ward, it'll be fireworks galore!
"[3] Tina Hobley agreed that his introductory storyline was "very good", adding "Robert Powell is a great actor and I am proud to be working with him.
"[4] Although he admitted to never having watched an episode of Holby City prior to his casting, Powell stated that he was attracted to the role because "I've never done a drama series of this kind before.
"[5] In preparation for assuming the role of Mark, he shadowed a nurse on a night shift at Charing Cross hospital, calling the experience "a revelation".
[5] Powell's casting in the role marked the beginning of a trend remarked upon by TV critic Jim Shelley, who noted a tendency of Holby City producers toward hiring already well established actors, including comedian Adrian Edmondson and actress Patsy Kensit.
[6] When asked in November 2007 whether she actively sought out well-known-names to fill new roles in the show, series producer Diana Kyle responded: "It's lovely when we have a new member of the cast come in and bring an audience with them.
"[8] Mark first appeared in episode "Stick or Twist", when estranged daughter Chrissie Williams tracked him down in London - spurred on to find her father by her mother's recent breast cancer diagnosis.
[11] However, he later changed his mind and arrived at Holby City Hospital, taking a Staff Nurse job with the intention of getting to know his daughter.
He found himself falling in love with Tricia again, and fought to win her affection from on-and-off boyfriend Carlos Fashola, eventually triumphing and reuniting with his former wife.
Sharon Maughan expanded on the storyline: "Tricia's horrified when Lisa tells her that Frank had a suspected stroke in the night and was rambling on about Chrissie being his daughter.
It took many months for Mark and Tricia's relationship began to heal again, and even when they had managed to set the past behind them and move on, things did not run smoothly.
Initially, Tricia turned him down, with Sharon Maughan explaining: "She doesn't like the thought of saying 'til death do us part', knowing she's dying.
Tricia suffered serious injuries, and although she was stabilized in theatre by Diane Lloyd, her condition soon thereafter worsened, leaving Mark and Chrissie conflicted over how to continue with her treatment.
Friend and colleague Elliot Hope provided support, while Chrissie's boyfriend, Stuart McElroy, had Mark checked into rehab under the guise of attending a resuscitation refresher course.
The 17 November 2006 Children in Need charity telethon included a segment featuring the Holby City cast performing a version of Hung Up by Madonna.
[19] The storyline which saw Mark become addicted to cocaine was criticised for its lack of realism by Daily Mirror writer Jim Shelley.
"[20] The Stage writer Mark Wright examined the cocaine addiction storyline in contrast to complaints from drinks industry body the Portman Group that a scene featuring characters Maddy Young and Sam Strachan downing tequila shots was "highly irresponsible",[21] writing: "To put this storm in a shot glass into perspective, the offending scene took place in the same episode that Mark Williams was in the gents chopping out a line of cocaine.