Actor Michael Keating, known for appearing on EastEnders and Blake’s 7, has died at the age of 79. Keating earned a loyal following for appearing on the sci-fi series, in which he played skilled thief Vila Restal, while he also portrayed Reverend George Stevens in the BBC soap.
The news of Keating’s passing was shared by Cult Edge, the publisher of Blake’s 7 books, as well as multiple fan accounts on social media.
“So terribly sad to hear reports that we’ve lost Michael Keating. What a loss, and what a wonderful man. He’ll be hugely missed,” Cult Edge’s X tribute reads. “Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Michael, and thank you xx.”
Keating’s was the only character to appear in all four seasons of Blake’s 7, which ran between 1978 and 1981.
The sci-fi series was created by Terry Nation, who also had the idea for the Daleks and Davros for Doctor Who, and focuses on a group of outlaws in an intergalactic setting.
“Farewell to actor Michael Keating,” a fan posted on X, saying that Vila was “integral” to the series.
“BLAKE’S 7 universe has lost another freedom fighter & star. As Vila Restal #MichaelKeating brought wonderful lightness warmth fear drama & humour to character. Vila was integral to Blake’s 7.”
Audiobooks production company Big Finish also shared a message in the aftermath of Keating’s passing, celebrating his performance as Vila.
“In his hands, Vila was something richer than comic relief. He was warm, wily, honest about his own limitations, and almost impossible not to love,” the tribute reads.
Blake’s 7 audio writer Peter Anghelides also remembered Keating, saying it was “a joy” to work with him.
“Little did I realise when first encountering him at BBC Television Centre in 1981 that some three decades later I would be writing and producing Big Finish Blake’s 7 audio stories for him as Vila Restal,” Anghelides said.
“His cheery presence on studio days was always most welcome. I would sit at the back of the Audio Sorcery control room hooting with laughter at his comic timing in our recordings.
“In the green room when we recorded the first full-cast audio Warship he jokingly suggested that there should have been a planet named Vere after his old colleague, TV director/producer Vere Lorrimer, so obviously I smuggled that idea into a later script, much to Michael’s great delight.”
Keith Barnfather, a film producer at Reeltime Pictures, which produced documentaries on Blake’s 7 and Doctor Who, remembered Keating in a Facebook post.
“More sad news. The passing of the absolutely lovely MICHAEL KEATING,” Barnfather wrote.
“VILA was probably my favourite character in BLAKE’S 7 and it was a total blast to meet Michael properly to film his MYTH MAKERS at Winspit Quarry in Dorset.
“Such a fun, generous, kind spirit. My deepest condolences to his family and every Blake’s 7 fan out there.”
Alongside his role on Blake’s 7 and his EastEnders stint, which saw him play George Stevens in a total of 54 episodes between 2005 and 2017, Keating appeared on Casualty and Midsomer Murders.
The actor also took to the boards at the National Theatre and Old Vic in London and originated the role of Marty in 1985’s Elvis Presley play Are You Lonesome Tonight in London’s West End.
