Michael Moon

Michael Moon
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Steve John Shepherd
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
Duration	2010—
First appearance	1 October 2010
Classification	Present; regular
Profile
Occupation	Businessman
Family Father Eddie Moon Mother Maggie Moon Brothers Craig Moon Half brothers Anthony Moon Tyler Moon Half sisters Francesca Moon Sons Tommy Moon Other relatives Alfie Moon

Michael Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve John Shepherd. The character is a second cousin once removed of Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), who first appears on 1 October 2010 after Alfie's return. He is also the father to Tommy Moon, whose mother is Alfie's wife Kat (Jessie Wallace). Michael is later joined by his father Eddie Moon (David Essex) and half brothers Tyler (Tony Discipline) and Anthony (Matt Lapinskas), and Michael's personality will be further explored with their arrival. Michael is described as a competitive and manipulative risk-taker who lives dangerously. He is a charmer with an eye for the ladies, but is willing to stab anyone in the back. He has had a relationship with Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) which was disliked by Roxy's sister Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and got engaged to Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks)

Storylines

Michael arrives in Albert Square to loan money to his cousin Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) for the lease of The Queen Victoria public house. Alfie's wife Kat (Jessie Wallace) is not pleased to see him as the baby Kat is carrying is his. The pair argue and Kat agrees to go to Spain with him but later decides to stay with Alfie. Michael then leaves for Spain alone. He returns a few months later, wanting to see his son Tommy, however, Alfie explains that he died from cot death. Michael leaves and is reunited with Max (Jake Wood) and Jack (Scott Maslen), with whom he attended school, and stays with Jack, meeting his wife Ronnie (Samantha Womack). The next day Ronnie's sister Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) takes an interest in Michael and he buys her drinks. Kat tries to get Michael to show his feelings and desperately kisses him, but he rejects her and leaves. Jack and Michael set up a boxing club, and in an attempt to get rid of Michael, Ronnie falsely claims that Michael kissed her, which ultimately fails. Michael and Jack open the boxing club. Ronnie attempts to rid Walford of Michael by asking Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) for help which is unsucessful. Michael later starts a proper relationship with Roxy and helps Kat and Alfie reunite when their relationship breaks down. After Ronnie reveals that she swapped her and Kat's babies, Michael shows little interest. His relationship with Roxy suffers, but they soon reconcile. Michael's father Eddie Moon (David Essex) arrives in Walford to visit Alfie, much to Michael's disgust. Michael repeatedly tells his father to leave Walford and to stay away from him. It soon transpires that Eddie killed Michael's mother. Michael rejects his half-brother Tyler (Tony Discipline) when he arrives in Walford.

Michael sees Jay Mitchell (Jamie Borthwick) and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) leaving The Queen Victoria after breaking into it, but tells Kat, Alfie and Eddie that he saw Ronnie running from the scene. Everyone believes Michael and he then sets Ronnie up multiple times. Roxy refuses to believe Ronnie until she sees a text message on Ronnie's phone sent by Michael and Roxy ends her relationship with Michael. Eddie and Michael seemingly make amends, but Eddie is unaware that it is part of a scheme, which includes paying a boxer to allow Tyler to believe he is a talented boxer. Michael pays Vanessa Gold (Zöe Lucker) to break Eddie's heart. Michael then sets up an unlicenced boxing match between Tyler and a superior boxer, Artie Stiller (Maurice Lee). Tyler wins but suffers a seizure afterwards. At the hospital, Eddie reveals Michael has a brother, Craig Moon (Elliott Rosen), who has Down's Syndrome. He takes Michael to meet Craig and Eddie reveals that Craig is his full-brother, who he placed into a care home. After talking with Craig, Michael accuses Eddie of rejecting him but Eddie reveals the truth about Michael's mother's suicide, informing Michael that she used him to get back at Eddie. After this, Michael apologises to Eddie and the two reconcile. Vanessa pays Michael a visit for her money but he said the deals off causing Vanessa to reveal Michael's scheming to Eddie. Eddie then reveals Michael's actions to his brothers before leaving Walford, leaving Michael rejected by his family. Michael starts a relationship with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). When Max and Jack's brother Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) arrives in Walford, Michael is fearful of him. Janine later discovers she is pregnant and the couple decide to keep the baby. Michael suggests to David Wicks (Michael French) that they should team up to get Derek arrested to which David agrees. Michael plants stolen goods in Derek's home, however Derek catches Michael in the act, and Michael blames the entire scheme on David. Michael is then used by Derek to lure David into meeting with him, and Derek forces David to leave Walford. When Tyler and Anthony are in debt to Derek, Anthony asks Michael for help but Michael locks Anthony in his office and calls the police on Derek. Derek threatens to kill Anthony and Tyler, and Michael suggests they leave. They soon discover he called the police and confront him. Janine hears about the trouble and eventually pays off the debt. Michael then allows Derek to beat him up in the hope it will help, but then discovers the debt was already paid.

Michael is surprised to find a baby scan photo and annoyed that Janine insists their child will be called Butcher, not Moon. He then ends his relationship with her, since he feels she cannot trust him and she refuses to let him be part of the child's life by saying it will take her last name and be raised by a nanny. Janine is distraught by the end of the relationship. Michael lures her to a "business meeting" at the Gherkin in London, where he proposes and reveals stories about his childhood with Jack and growing up in the East End. Janine accepts the proposal, on the condition that he signs a pre-nuptial agreement, which he does. He then cons Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) out of her lottery winnings in order to pay towards the wedding, so that Janine cannot make all the decisions. He then persuades Jean to give him more money, promising he will invest it for her.

Creation and development

Casting and introduction

Shepherd's casting in the role of Michael was announced on 28 July 2010. Shepherd said of his casting: "I can vividly remember watching the first ever episode of EastEnders and I'm very excited to be joining such a fantastic and iconic programme. Michael Moon will be an exciting character to play".^[1] Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood explained that he had been a fan of Shepherd for many years, adding: "He's a fantastic signing for EastEnders, an exciting addition to the Moon family, and is set to cause a big splash in Albert Square from the moment he arrives."^[1] Shepherd's contract was a long-running negotiation and he received confirmation whilst filming Waking the Dead.^[2] His first appearance on screen was on 1 October 2010.^[3]

Personality

Michael is described as a competitive and manipulative risk-taker who lives dangerously, and a charmer with an eye for the ladies, but he is willing to stab anyone in the back.^[1] Shepherd said that "on the surface he's a loveable, cheeky chappy, but underneath he has hidden depths which will be exciting to explore."^[1] Shepherd opined that viewers would be unlikely to vote for him in polls such as 'sexiest male' because his character is "duplicitous": "I think viewers tend to fall in love with the character you play, and if they go for a duplicitous rogue, I'd be very surprised!"^[4] He told What's on TV that Michael can be mercenary and has a cruel streak, but "there's darkness and light to him, really. Some moments you can see him being really quite cruel and then the next he can be quite compassionate and thoughtful."^[5] He told We Love Telly that "[Michael] takes pride in the way he dresses and he's always been quite successful with the ladies."^[6] Daniel Kileklly from Digital Spy called Michael "enigmatic", and said he has a nasty side.^[7] Kirkwood compared Michael to Ronnie and Roxy's father, Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb), saying they approach life and treat people in similar ways.^[8] The EastEnders website additionally calls Michael a "sinister", "flashy" and "jealous" man who "wouldn't think twice about screwing people over—even those he loves".^[9] It continues to read: "Michael possesses all the charming characteristics of his loveable rogue of a cousin Alfie, a cheeky-chappy with a silver tongue and an eye for the ladies, but with a more sinister and cruel streak. Michael is a serial womaniser and with a string of broken hearts and failed marriages behind him, he’s got the track record to prove it. Whenever he needs a port in a storm, there’s a girl he knows that will put him up for a night, a week or more."^[9] Shepherd recently described the character as a "functioning psychopath"^[10]

Storyline development

Although Michael leaves Walford when he is rejected by Kat, he returns to see his son, Tommy. Shepherd told Buzz magazine that Michael has feelings for Kat but respects the fact she is married, though finds it hard to resist temptation.^[11] When Alfie sees Kat kissing Michael, he feels embarrassed and shocked, but also concerned about Alfie and Kat's marriage, which Shepherd said shows a new side to Michael.^[12] Michael is attracted to Roxy but does not want to be tied down.^[11] However, after going on a date with Roxy, Shepherd said that Michael likes her no-nonsense, feisty nature and her wild side, adding that they make a good couple.^[13] Kirkwood said that "Roxy's a little girl lost and Michael could be the worst possible man for her. But how long will it take her to realise that?"^[8]

On 24 January 2011, it was announced that David Essex had joined the cast as Michael's father, Eddie, with whom Michael has a "fractured relationship".^[14] Shepherd said that Eddie's arrival will allow the reasons behind Michael's behaviour and his personality to be explored.^[15] Shepherd explained that animosity between Michael and Eddie exists because of "something dark and it's still very raw for Michael. It's made him the person he is today. It's why he is so damaged. And dangerous."^[16] He added that Eddie's return would stir up bad memories which could have a "damaging effect on Michael's relationships with the people around him".^[16] It was announced on the 10 May 2011 that Michael's half brothers^[17] were being introduced; Tony Discipline playing Tyler Moon, and Matt Lapinskas playing Anthony Moon.^[18] Kirkwood said, "The Moon clan are on their way to becoming an established family in the Square."^[18] It was revealed by Inside Soap that the rift between the two is because Michael's mother committed suicide and Michael found her body but he is convinced that Eddie killed her.^[19]

In May 2011, it was reported that Michael would develop an obsession with Ronnie and start to stalk her, with scenes including him sneaking into her bedroom to watch her sleep and going through her underwear drawer. It was also reported that Michael would spread lies about Ronnie, and ask Roxy to wear the same perfume as her sister. A source told the Daily Star, "Everyone knows Michael has a mean streak but he is set to get a whole lot worse. He's trying to meddle in as many people's lives as possible. It seems he wants Ronnie all to himself. But what exactly is he up to?"^[7] The storyline was reportedly filmed in May 2011.^[7] Speaking of Ronnie's dislike of Michael, Shepherd said "He can't work out why Ronnie doesn't like him, so he assumes she must fancy him."^[15]

Upon the reintroduction of Derek Branning, it is revealed that Michael and Derek have clashed in the past. Speaking to Inside Soap, Shepherd promised that he will continue to "oppose" Derek.^[20] He commented: "It's already been alluded to that Derek and Michael didn't get along in the past. The true extent of Derek's emotional and physical bullying of Michael still hasn't been revealed, but Michael's well aware of how unpleasant he is. Derek's a nasty piece of work."^[20] Asked whether Michael will "settle the score" with Derek, Shepherd replied: "Absolutely! Michael holds grudges and doesn't forget anything. He has a bad feeling that the Brannings will become too powerful in Walford if Derek continues to ride roughshod over everyone, so he's definitely in Michael's sights. We can expect these two to clash, that's for sure."^[20]

After Janine becomes pregnant with Michael's child, their relationship has seemed to be smoother.^[21] Shepherd revealed to Inside Soap that their relationship is set to get "rockier" in the coming weeks.^[21] He commented: "The relationship is going to get very fraught and rocky—mountainous, actually. I gather that Janine has made a habit of killing off her husbands, so Michael will have to keep one eye open where she's concerned!"^[21] Discussing Michael and Janine's connection, he continued: "They both have this 'black dog' that follows them around—it's a darkness. They share similar histories with family dysfunction, so he knows why Janine is so unpredictable and uneven. He sees himself in Janine."^[21] Shepherd also joked about how Michael and Janine's child might cope with having such twisted parents.^[21] He added: "I pity Michael and Janine's baby! How would I rate his skills as a father? Quite low. Imagine Michael changing a nappy! But he sees this as a chance to redeem himself."^[21]

Shepherd explained why his character starts to turn against his friend Jack Branning in early 2012.^[22] It was earlier reported that Michael will discover that Jack has forged Roxy's signature in order to get their daughter Amy and then shares this information with Roxy.^[23] Asked whether Michael is worried about betraying Jack, Shepherd commented: "No, as Michael doesn't like Jack's attitude towards Derek. Derek has come in and assumed the role as head of the Branning family. He's bossing everyone around and he's committing all sorts of low-level crime. Michael is galled by this. He also doesn't want the Brannings to be too powerful on the Square."^[22] Discussing his character's twisted personality, he continued: "I like his complexity and I do enjoy playing him. I feel very fortunate to be able to explore his darkness. There's a lot more territory to cover too, so I'm looking forward to that. People have taken to him as well—but one woman I met once did scream at me!"^[22] Even though Janine's pregnancy has brought Janine and Michael closer, Shepherd had revealed that it will not last.^[24] After Michaal cons Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) out of her lottery winnings in April 2012, Shepherd told All About Soap that the plot is building up to something but is unsure of the outcome.^[25] Shepherd predicted that there will be "fireworks" as the storyline progresses.^[25] He said, "It'll be a real crescendo and the thing with Jean becomes extremely intense. It's a bubbling cauldron."^[25] He added that Michael will not care if Janine finds out where the money is coming from.^[25]

Reception

Michael was called "creepy and a bit slimy" by a writer for website Holy Soap.^[26] In May 2011, Shepherd was nominated in the Best Soap Newcomer category at the 2011 TV Choice Awards for his portrayal of Michael.^[27] Kate White of Inside Soap praised the character, saying "Darling 'Midnight Michael'...how we love your crazy schemes, oddball ways and eccentric comments. And now you've knocked up Janine, the possibilities are endless. Lots, lots more in 2012, please!"^[28] A writer for The Sun branded Michael a "hunk".^[29] Shepherd admitted that playing a villain has made him unpopular with viewers.^[24] He said that one woman screamed at him and a child hid behind her mother and would not speak.^[24] He commented: "It was quite upsetting, but the flip side is that they clearly believe in the drama."^[24]

See also

• List of EastEnders characters (2010)
• List of soap opera villains

References

External links

• Michael Moon at BBC Online