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 Stevens in EastEnders (2005–2017).

Life and career Keating was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, on 10 February 1947. His acting career began in 1966. 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. 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.

Some years later, Keating reunited with his Blake's 7 co-star Gareth Thomas in an episode of the BBC drama series Casualty. In 2004, Keating returned to the Doctor Who franchise, guest-starring as Major Koth in the Big Finish Productions audio adventure The Twilight Kingdom. 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.

From 2005 to 2017, Keating played Reverend Stevens in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. 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).

Keating died at home from dementia on 26 April 2026, aged 79.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes1970 Julius Caesar Plebeian #2 2009 Micro Men Derek Holley TV movie

Television

Year Title Role Notes1969 Special Branch Det. Constable Pearce 1971 Merry-Go-Round Saxon Prisoner Episode: "The Raven and the Cross 1", TV Documentary1972 Doomwatch Stephen Grigg Episode: "Enquiry" Omnibus Dante Episode: "Max Beerbohm Remembers", TV documentary1973 The Dragon's Opponent First mate Episode: "The Drawn Sword", historical miniseries1977 Doctor Who Goudry Serial: The Sun Makers 1978–1981 Blake's 7 Vila Restal 52 episodes1980 The Dawson Watch TBA 2 episodes: "The Future" & "Holidays", sci-fi comedy1981 Yes Minister Constable Ross Episode: "The Death List"1983 Paul Squire, Esq TBA Episode: "1.6", sketch and variety show1986 Rainbow Detective Inspector Frost Episode: "Detectives"1988 King & Castle Inspector Bell Episode: "Floppy Discs", crime drama1989 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 uncredited1991 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 episodes2009 Midsomer Murders Derek Painter Episode: "The Dogleg Murders"

Radio and CD audio dramas Year Title Role Notes1998–1999 Blake's 7 Vila Restal 2 stories: "The Sevenfold Crown" & "The Syndeton Experiment"1999–2000 Soldiers of Love Mydas Mydasson 5 episodes, sci-fi comedy2004, 2006 Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures Major Koth / Inspector Chardalot 2 serials: The Twilight Kingdom & Year of the Pig2010 Graceless Earl Kreekpolt Series 12010 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 episodes2013–2020 Blake's 7: The Classic Adventures Vila Restal 34 episodes2014 Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures Calvert Serial: The Evil One2021–2022 The Worlds of Blake's 7 Vila Restal 3 episodes

References

Further reading Toby Hadoke. Michael Keating obituary. The Guardian. 11 June 2026. Michael Keating, actor best known for Blake’s 7 and EastEnders. The Daily Telegraph. 29 May 2026. Louis Chilton. Michael Keating death: Popular Eastenders and Blake’s 7 star dies aged 79. The Independent. 21 May 2026. Blake's 7 and EastEnders star Michael Keating dies aged 79. RTÉ. 22 May 2026. From Press Association. James Hibbs. Michael Keating, EastEnders and Blake's 7 star, dies aged 79. Radio Times. 21 May 2026.

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