EastEnders fans are reeling from the violent behavior of Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) as he continues to mistreat his mother, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).
As the teenager’s aggressive actions persist, discussions about his biological father, the villainous Michael Moon (Stephen Shepherd), have become a focal point in conversations between Kat and Alfie (Shane Richie).
Sociopath Michael made his entrance in Albert Square in October 2010 and quickly won over the neighbors with his good looks and charm. However, it wasn’t long before his true nature as a manipulative and conniving thug came to light—creating the perfect recipe for disaster. Unlike his cousin Alfie, Michael was a world apart and found love with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks).
The couple tied the knot in 2012, but Michael’s aversion to commitment made him an unfit father to their baby daughter, Scarlett, leading Janine to leave their marriage.
During this period, Michael manipulated the infatuated Alice Branning (Jasmyn Banks) into facilitating time with Scarlett, which did not sit well with Janine.
Ultimately, Michael concluded that the best way to handle Janine was to orchestrate her death through an overdose of sleeping pills, with Alice playing a pivotal role in the plan.
Eventually, on Halloween 2013, the trio confronted each other, and an enraged Michael grabbed Janine by the throat, only releasing his grip when Alice stabbed him.
After Alice fled the scene, Michael got back to his feet and went after Janine again, but she dealt him a fatal blow with the knife.
Ultimately, it was Janine Butcher who murdered Michael Moon, despite him framing Alice for the crime. Tommy Moon was confirmed as Michael’s son following a brief affair with Kat, but Alfie has also regarded the boy as one of his own.
The ex-EastEnders star left the BBC soap in 2013, stating, “After two years of playing Michael, I feel now is the time to move on. I have relished every minute of exploring his character, the good and the bad.”
He added, “I feel extremely privileged to have had this amazing experience, and I want to thank everybody at EastEnders for their extraordinary support. Most importantly, I would like to thank the fans for accepting him and his numerous flaws into their hearts. I wish them all the very best.”
Stephen is married to actress Anna Wilson-Jones, known for her role as Lady Livingston in Bridgerton. She has also appeared as Danielle in Top Boy (2023), the Duchess in Father Brown (2023), and Adele Fitzgerald in Grantchester (2022), as well as Orla Cossdale in Vera (2020) and Lady Portman in Victoria (2016-2019).
Anna has secured roles in Silent Witness, Marley’s Ghosts, Midsomer Murders, Lewis, DCI Banks, Ashes to Ashes, Hotel Babylon, and many more.
The couple, who married in 2004, have three children together—two daughters and a son. After leaving EastEnders, Steve appeared in the Bush Theatre’s production of Albion, playing the role of Paul Ryman in the political play.
Since quitting EastEnders Stephen has appeared in a long list of other popular TV shows including Karen Pirie, Agatha Raisin, London Kills, and Silent Witness.
Before bringing Michael Moon alive on the soap, starred in Waking the Dead, Lunch Monkeys, Taggart, Cold Blood, New Tricks, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and many more.
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