Beloved Blake’s 7 Actor Dies at 79
British actor Michael Keating, best known for his roles in Blake’s 7 and EastEnders, died at the age of 79. Keating’s representatives confirmed his death on Thursday. However, no cause of death has been made public.
Who was Michael Keating?
Born in Edmonton, England, Keating began his acting career in the late 1960s and 1970s, building experience through guest appearances across British television. Early in his career, he featured in shows such as Special Branch, Merry-Go-Round, Omnibus, The Dragon’s Opponent, and even made an appearance in the long-running sci-fi phenomenon Doctor Who.
His breakthrough came in 1978 when he was cast in Blake’s 7, a BBC space drama set in a dystopian future where a group of rebels fights against a powerful totalitarian regime controlling Earth and its colonies.
Keating played Vila Restal, a clever, cautious petty thief who quickly became a fan favourite. Vila stood out as one of the most human and relatable characters in the series, known for his wit, survival instincts, and reluctance to embrace violence. Keating’s performance helped define the tone of the show, and remarkably, he was the only actor to appear in all 52 episodes of the series.
Beyond Blake’s 7, Keating also built a steady career in British television, later earning a long-running role on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. From 2005 to 2017, he portrayed Reverend George Stevens, the vicar of Walford, appearing in 54 episodes. His character frequently officiated major life events for residents of the fictional London borough, including weddings, christenings, and funerals.
Keating also remained closely connected to Blake’s 7 long after the original series ended. In the 2010s and early 2020s, he reprised his role as Vila Restal in a series of audio and podcast productions, including Blake’s 7: The Liberator Chronicles (2012–2016), Blake’s 7: The Classic Adventures (2013–2020), and The Worlds of Blake’s 7 (2021–2022). These projects introduced the character to a new generation of fans and reinforced Keating’s legacy within British sci-fi culture.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Michael Keating became a familiar and respected presence in British television, remembered most fondly for bringing humour, vulnerability, and heart to one of science fiction’s most enduring ensemble casts.
