This week on Emmerdale, Mark Charnock’s character, Marlon Dingle, took drastic measures
in an attempt to remove April’s friend Dylan, played by Fred Kettle, from their lives. Initially, Marlon agreed to let Dylan stay at his house for just one night. However, the situation quickly escalated into something more prolonged, as Dylan ended up staying for an extended period
while attempting to recover from his drug addiction. Marlon, deeply concerned about his
daughter April and the potential dangers Dylan could bring into their home, made the controversial decision to frame the young man by planting drugs on him in hopes of forcing him out.
Mark Charnock has spoken about Marlon’s mindset during this time, explaining that his character is acting out of fear rather than malice. According to the actor, Marlon’s knowledge of Dylan is limited; all he truly knows is that Dylan had protected April while she was on the streets. However, the exact nature of their relationship and what Dylan’s protection actually entailed remained unclear to him. This uncertainty, combined with the trauma Marlon had already endured in trying to bring April back home safely, left him in a heightened state of fear and desperation.
“Right now, he doesn’t really know Dylan at all,” Charnock explained. “He knows Dylan was there for April in some capacity while she was away, but he has no real understanding of what that meant or how deep their connection goes. What he does know is that he has finally gotten his daughter back, and he is absolutely terrified that she might run off again and be exposed to more horrors. In his eyes, Dylan, despite any kindness he may have shown in the past, is still a drug addict living under his roof, and that is simply too much of a risk for him to take.”
Marlon’s decision to plant drugs on Dylan was a desperate and clumsy way of protecting April, but from his perspective, it was necessary. “His only real goal is ensuring April’s safety,” Charnock continued. “As long as Dylan is there, Marlon believes she isn’t truly safe. So, despite knowing it’s not the right thing to do, he feels justified in his actions. It’s not rational, and it’s not moral, but it’s what he believes he needs to do.”
Eventually, before heading off to rehab, Dylan made a final trip back to the village to say goodbye to April. During this emotional conversation, he told her that he was going to get professional help and even mentioned that Marlon had agreed to cover the cost of his rehabilitation. However, Dylan made the significant decision not to reveal the truth—that Marlon had framed him by planting ketamine in his belongings. This choice was a selfless one, as it allowed Marlon to maintain his fragile relationship with April. Although keeping this secret painted Dylan in a worse light, it also reduced the risk of April resenting her father even more than she already had.
For April, Dylan’s announcement that he would be cutting off contact was devastating. She had come to rely on him, and the idea of losing that support left her heartbroken. In response, Marlon was quick to step in and comfort her, but in doing so, he is taking an even bigger gamble by continuing to withhold the truth about what really happened. Although it may seem like he and April are rebuilding their bond, actor Mark Charnock has confirmed that the road ahead remains anything but smooth.
“There’s a real sense of walking on eggshells in their household,” he said. “They’re trying so hard to keep April close while also giving her space, and it creates this endless push-and-pull dynamic. One moment, they’re reconnecting, and the next, they’re drifting apart again. That’s how it often is in situations like this. When a child returns home after a traumatic experience, the real challenge is just beginning. The person who left isn’t the same person who comes back, and Marlon and Rhona are struggling to figure out how to navigate that.”
Looking ahead, things are set to become even more challenging. “There’s still a lot more to come,” Charnock revealed. “It’s going to be a really rough, unpredictable journey for them all. They’ve been through so much, and the healing process is far from straightforward.”
Beyond Marlon’s relationship with April, his marriage to Rhona has also been significantly affected by everything that has happened. “This situation has put another major strain on them,” Charnock explained. “They had already gone through a tough time the previous year with Ivy, and just when they were starting to find their footing again, this situation with April and Dylan happened.”
Rhona, for her part, is feeling an immense amount of pressure. “She’s been incredibly patient, but it’s hard for her,” Charnock admitted. “Marlon has become so focused on April that he’s neglecting other aspects of their family life. Even now that April is back home, he’s still not fully present. It’s not necessarily causing outright marital problems yet, but there’s a noticeable strain in their home life. There’s a lot of stress, and it’s starting to take its toll.”
With Marlon’s secret still hanging over him, tensions rising in his marriage, and April continuing to struggle with everything she has been through, it’s clear that things are far from settled in the Dingle household. The weeks ahead promise to bring even more twists and emotional turmoil, as Marlon faces the consequences of his decisions and tries to hold his family together against all odds.
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