Michael Keating
Michael Keating at the Blake's 7 series 2 DVD launch, 2005
Born
Michael Frank Keating

(1947-02-10)10 February 1947
Edmonton, Middlesex, England
Died 26 April 2026(2026-04-26) (aged 79)
Occupation Actor
Years active 1966–2022
Known for Vila Restal in Blake's 7
Reverend Stevens in EastEnders

Michael Frank Keating (10 February 1947 – 26 April 2026) was an English actor. He was best known for his role as Vila Restal in the science fiction television series Blake's 7 (1978–1981), and as Reverend George Stevens in EastEnders (2005–2017).

Life and career

Keating was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, on 10 February 1947. His acting career began in 1966.[1] One of his earlier notable roles was as Goudry in The Sun Makers, a 1977 Doctor Who story. Just over a month later, Keating first appeared in the role of Vila Restal in the BBC TV series Blake's 7, which aired from 1978 to 1981.[2] Vila was the only character to appear in all fifty-two episodes of the series. In 1981, Keating appeared in an episode of the BBC sitcom Yes Minister titled The Death List, playing the role of Police Constable Ross.[3]

Some years later, Keating reunited with his Blake's 7 co-star Gareth Thomas in an episode of the BBC drama series Casualty.[3] In 2004, Keating returned to the Doctor Who franchise, guest-starring as Major Koth in the Big Finish Productions audio adventure The Twilight Kingdom.[2] In 2006, he starred in another Doctor Who audio adventure, this time as Inspector Chardalot in Year of the Pig. In 2009, he had a brief role in the BBC one-off drama Micro Men about the rise of the British home computer market in the late 1970s and early 1980s.[2]

From 2005 to 2017, Keating played Reverend Stevens in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.[1] He appeared as a recurring character, usually for a single episode or a few episodes at a time, in connection with another character's christening, marriage, or funeral, or relating to regular churchgoer Dot Branning (June Brown).[2]

Keating died at home from dementia on 26 April 2026, aged 79.[4][5][6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1970 Julius Caesar Plebeian #2
2009 Micro Men Derek Holley TV movie

Television

[3][2]

Year Title Role Notes
1969 Special Branch Det. Constable Pearce
1971 Merry-Go-Round Saxon Prisoner Episode: "The Raven and the Cross 1", TV Documentary
1972 Doomwatch Stephen Grigg Episode: "Enquiry"
Omnibus Dante Episode: "Max Beerbohm Remembers", TV documentary
1973 The Dragon's Opponent First mate Episode: "The Drawn Sword", historical miniseries
1977 Doctor Who Goudry Serial: The Sun Makers
1978–1981 Blake's 7 Vila Restal 52 episodes
1980 The Dawson Watch TBA 2 episodes: "The Future" & "Holidays", sci-fi comedy
1981 Yes Minister Constable Ross Episode: "The Death List"
1983 Paul Squire, Esq TBA Episode: "1.6", sketch and variety show
1986 Rainbow Detective Inspector Frost Episode: "Detectives"
1988 King & Castle Inspector Bell Episode: "Floppy Discs", crime drama
1989 The Play on One Daniel / Charlie 2 episodes: "Clowns" & "These Foolish Things"
Capital City Estate agent Episode: "Thanksgiving"
1990 The Two of Us Police sergeant Episode: "Dangers in the Night"
London's Burning A. C. O. Howard Episode "3.7", role uncredited
1991 Kinsey Murray Episode: "The Authentic Voice... Little Miss Goosestep"
1993 Between the Lines Police Federation Rep. Episode: "Some Must Watch"
1994 True Crimes Reenactment Episode: "The Deepest Secret", TV documentary
The Bill Geoff Tilson Episode: "Menace"
1995, 2000 Casualty Graham Wingate / Pat Sadler 2 episodes: "Bringing It All Back Home" & "States of Shock"
2005–2013, 2015–2017 EastEnders Reverend George Stevens 54 episodes
2009 Midsomer Murders Derek Painter Episode: "The Dogleg Murders"

Radio and CD audio dramas

Year Title Role Notes
1998–1999 Blake's 7 Vila Restal 2 stories: "The Sevenfold Crown" & "The Syndeton Experiment"
1999–2000 Soldiers of Love Mydas Mydasson 5 episodes, sci-fi comedy
2004, 2006 Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures Major Koth / Inspector Chardalot 2 serials: The Twilight Kingdom & Year of the Pig
2010 Graceless Earl Kreekpolt Series 1
2010 Blake's 7: A Rebellion Reborn Vila Restal Episode: "When Vila Met Gan"
2012–2016 Blake's 7: The Liberator Chronicles Vila Restal/Narrator 14 episodes
2013–2020 Blake's 7: The Classic Adventures Vila Restal 34 episodes
2014 Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures Calvert Serial: The Evil One
2021–2022 The Worlds of Blake's 7 Vila Restal 3 episodes

References

  1. ^ a b Feast Creative – The Narrow Road Company. "Michael Keating". narrowroad.co.uk.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Interview with Michael Keating". BBC. 14 January 2004.
  3. ^ a b c "Michael Keating: Credit Listings". tv.com. Retrieved 5 April 2009.
  4. ^ "Michael Keating 1947–2026". Big Finish. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  5. ^ "Blake's 7 and EastEnders legend dies aged 79". Yahoo! News. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  6. ^ Edward Segarra (22 May 2026). "Michael Keating, British 'EastEnders' actor, dies at 79". USA Today. Retrieved 22 May 2026.