Latest News About Michael Keating Actor

Michael Keating, the actor known for EastEnders and Blake’s 7, has recently died at age 79. Several outlets reported the news on May 20–21, 2026, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and fans.

Overview of his career

• EastEnders: Played Reverend Stevens from 2005 to 2017, appeared in numerous episodes, often alongside Dot Cotton. This role made him a familiar face to soap audiences in the UK. He retired from the show in 2017 and announced plans to relocate to Australia to be with his daughter.[1][4]
• Blake’s 7: Widely remembered for Vila Restal, a central character across the series’ run, making him a standout in British sci-fi television. He is noted as the only actor to appear in all 52 episodes of Blake’s 7.[2][1]
• Other work: Appeared in Doctor Who in an early episode (The Sun Makers) and contributed to various TV dramas such as Yes Minister, The Bill, Casualty, Midsomer Murders, and London’s Burning. He also did audio work with Big Finish related to Doctor Who.[4][1]

What’s been published

• Multiple outlets reported his passing and highlighted his long-standing contributions to British television and science fiction.[7][1][4]
• Tributes describe him as a wonderful man and a beloved figure to fans of both soap opera and sci-fi genres.[2][7]

If you’d like, I can pull a brief timeline of his major roles and notable appearances, or compile a short obituary-style summary with key dates and credits. I can also provide direct links to the latest articles for further reading.