Stephen Shepherd left the BBC soap in 2013 but in recent episode, his former character Michael Moon has been the topic of conversation but what is the actor up to now?
EastEnders viewers have been left floored over Tommy Moon’s (Sonny Kendall) violent behaviour as he continues to abuse his mum Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).
As his awful antics continue, the talk of his biological villainous father, Michael Moon (Stephen Shepherd), has become the topic of conversation between Kat and Michael’s cousin Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).
Sociopath Michael arrived in Albert Square in October 2010 and instantly became popular among neighbours due to his good looks and charm. But Michael’s true personality as a manipulative and conniving thug was soon revealed – the perfect recipe for disaster. Michael was a world away from his cousin Alfie and found love with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks).
The pair tied the knot in 2012, but never one to make any real commitment, Michael could not be a good dad to their baby daughter Scarlett, and Janine fled their marriage.
During this time, Michael manipulated love-struck Alice Branning (Jasmyn Banks) into getting him daddy/daughter time with Scarlett – this didn’t go down well Janine.
In the end, Michael decided the best way to deal with Janine was to kill her with an overdose of sleeping pills orchestrated by Alice.
Eventually, on Halloween 2013 the trio all came face to face, and an angry Michael grabbed Janine by the throat only loosening his grip when Alice stabbed him.
After Alice makes a run for it, Michael got back to his feet and went for Janine again before she delivered a fatal blow with the knife.
It was Janine Butcher who murdered Michael Moon, despite the villain framing Alice for the killing. Tommy Moon was confirmed as Michael’s son following a brief fling with Kat, but Alfie has also thought of the lad as one of his own.
The ex-EastEnders star left the BBC soap in 2013, “After two years of playing Michael, I feel now is the time to move on,” Stephen said at the time: “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,” the actor said of his time on the programme.
“Most importantly I would like to thank the fans for taking him and his numerous flaws into their hearts. I wish them all the very best.”
Stephen is married to actress Anna Wilson-Jones, who plays Lady Livingston in Bridgerton. She has also portrayed Danielle in Top Boy (2023), Duchess in father Brown (2023) and Adele Fitzgerald in Grantchester (2022) , Orla Cossdale in Vera (2020) and Lady Portman in Victoria (2016 – 2019).
Anna has also landed roles in 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 Bush Theatre’s production of Albion, playing the part 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 alive on the soap, Stephen starred in Waking the Dead, Lunch Monkeys, Taggart, Cold Blood, New Tricks, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and many more.
