[2] Cochrane played the role of Lieutenant Charles Gaylion, a Royal Flying Corps pilot in the BBC television series Wings (1977–78).
[3] He has twice appeared in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who,[4] first as Charles Cranleigh in the serial Black Orchid (1982) and later as Redvers Fenn-Cooper in Ghost Light (1989).
Other significant roles in which Cochrane has appeared are The Pallisers (1974),[4] Love in a Cold Climate (1980),[5] The Citadel (1983), a BBC serial adaptation of Goodbye Mr. Chips (1984), Raffles (1985–1993), No Job for a Lady, The Chief (1990–1995), and as Sir Henry Simmerson in the Sharpe series.
[4] His film career has included roles in Escape to Victory (1981), The Return of the Soldier (1982), Real Life (1984), Number One Gun (1990), The Saint (1997),[4] Incognito (1998),[4] A Different Loyalty (2004) and The Iron Lady (2011).
[7] In 2019 Cochrane appeared as one of the Number 2's in the 2016 Big Finish Productions audio drama adaptation of the cult 1960s British TV series The Prisoner aired by BBC Radio 4 Extra.