#michael keating

RIP Michael Keating

Blake's 7 and EastEnders legend dies aged 79

Former Blake's 7 and EastEenders star Michael Keating has died at the age of 79.

The English actor was beloved by sci-fi fans due to his role as Villa Restal in the cult BBC series and the news of his passing was shared by Cult Edge - who publish Blake's 7 books - and numerous fan accounts on social media.

The official Cult Edge X account posted: "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. Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Michael, and thank you xx"

Keith Barnfather - Film Producer at Reeltime Pictures - posted on Facebook: "MICHAEL KEATING 1947 - 2026

"More sad news. The passing of the absolutely lovely MICHAEL KEATING.

"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."

In Blake's 7, Michael portrayed Villa Restal - a skilled thief and conjurer - in the space opera which was developed and written by Terry Nation, the man responsible for creating the Daleks and their leader Davros for Doctor Who.

Villa was the only character to appear in every episode of the four series which ran between 1978 and 1981.

Fans and Blake's 7 enthusiasts took to social media to pay tribute to Keating:

Jason Gilchrist (@jgilchrist13) posted on X: "Farewell to actor Michael Keating.

BLAKES 7 universe has lost another freedom fighter and star.

As Vila Restal #MichaelKeating brought wonderful lightness warmth fear drama humour to character.

Vila was integral to Blake's 7.

"I raise a glass of Adrenaline Soma to you. #Blakes7"

Paul Carmichael (@PaulCarmichaelV) - the writer producer/director of Sophie Aldred’s Ace Odyssey podcast - posted on X: "So sorry to hear that Michael Keating has died. A fine actor with a wonderful career, including a recurring role in #EastEnders, but to me he will always be the wonderful Vila in #Blakes7. RIP."

The official X account for Space Fall: A Blake's 7 Podcast posted: "We're both very sad to hear of the passing of Michael Keating.

"Blake's 7 wouldn't have been what it was without him.

"Some of the most memorable moments were all down to him, and by all accounts he was a wonderful chap. He'll be missed."

As well as his memorable role on Blake's 7, Michael was best known for playing Reverend George Stevens in BBC One soap EastEnders from 2005 to 2017.

Reverend Stevens was a recurring character and appeared for Walford christenings, marriages and funerals as well as having interactions with regular church goer Dot Branning, who was played by the late June Brown.

Other notable acting roles included parts in Yes Minister, The Bill and Midsomer Murders, whilst he also reunited with Blake's 7 co-star Gareth Thomas in an episode of the BBC medical drama Casualty.

I'm sorry to hear that Michael Keating has just died.

He was the reason I first got into Blake's Seven. I'd been at college, in a broadcasting blindspot where someone had to hold the portable TV's cable in the air to get a chance of a picture, so I hadn't been following the new SF TV show (there were TV rooms, but I never got organised to go to them when anything interesting was on). So my first full episode of Blake's Seven was the beginning of season 3, when Vila is calling for help from the surface of a planet, and he's cold, and hungry, and he thinks he's broken his arm - and I thought that it was such a refreshing change from square jawed heroes being brave that I wanted to see more of him.

RIP Michael Keating (10.2.1947 - 26.4.2026)

"I used to prefer the theatre to everything because it’s so immediate and I suppose in some ways I veer towards comedy because that’s even more immediate, that your audience hopefully is reacting – hopefully! – to what you’re doing.

I saw this on Twitter a while ago and I've been meaning to share it.

Vila always looks uncertain when he holds guns because he's not someone who likes violence or conflict. He's out of his comfort zone holding a gun and that's different from most other sci-fi characters, confidently handling weapons and making perfect shots all the time.