Keanu Taylor
Keanu Taylor | |||||||||||||||||||||
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EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Danny Walters | ||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 2017–2020, 2022–2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | Episode 5511 15 June 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last appearance | Episode 6860 20 February 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||
Created by | Daran Little[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Sean O'Connor (2017) Chris Clenshaw (2022) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Keanu Taylor is a
Keanu returned in episode 6607, broadcast on 13 December 2022, again becoming a regular on the soap. His personality was slightly altered as he was now portrayed as being more mature and deceitful. Keanu's storylines in his return stint focused on the resume of his romance with Sharon, becoming involved in
Creation and development
Casting and Introduction
Walters said that he gained the role after attending a workshop organized by the show, as producers were unsure to introduce a new family or not.[2] Walters was informed later that day that he had been cast as Keanu, with details initially being kept vague, with little information about the character specifically.[2] Once the BBC announced Walters's casting on Facebook, Walters announced it to his friends and family after shaving his head for the role.[2]
The Taylor family's arrival was announced on 10 May 2017, with the family being described by executive producer Sean O'Connor as "noisy, brash and not to be messed with".[3][4] Keanu is introduced alongside the family, being described as a "charming" and "happy-go-lucky" guy who sees himself as the man of the family and tries to protect his siblings wherever possible.[3][4][5] Danny Walters described Keanu as "very mature for his age" due to growing up without a father figure and he has "had to grow up quite quickly to fend for himself and his family".[2][6] He also described Keanu as a hard-worker, as he is the only source of income for his family, and that he would do "anything" for his family, especially his mother Karen and sister Bernadette.[2] Walters also decribed Keany as "a good lad [who has] got morals".[2] And that the viewers should not judge the Taylor family as it would become clear that they were "an absolutely beautiful family".[2][6]
Keanu, alongside his mother
First departure
In October 2019, Walters said to expect "big emotions" and "big stunts" in that year's upcoming Christmas episode.[9] He also said that the storyline about his affair with Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) would become "much more serious" and "more interesting – to watch, to perform and to be a part of".[9] Keanu's first exit was announced on 1 November 2019 by executive producer Jon Sen, promising that Keanu would go out in "spectacular fashion" after over two years on the show,[10][11] and in a "dramatic and blistering conclusion" to Keanu's storyline with Sharon that would come to a head on Christmas Day 2019.[12]
"Keanu's story is set to come to a dramatic and blistering conclusion in the near future as one of the best kept secrets on the Square is finally revealed with devastating consequences. We'd all like to thank Danny for his nuanced performance as Keanu Taylor over the last two and half years. What Danny has brought to his character has been one of the reasons the 'Sheanu' affair has been such compulsive viewing for fans. Everyone at EastEnders wishes him well for the future."
Walters left on his own accord to pursue other projects, telling Digital Spy that "It has been a joy to play Keanu" and that "EastEnders will always hold a special place in [his] heart".[12][10] Walters said the storyline's conclusion would be "explosive, like a classic [EastEnders] Christmas".[10][11] The actor "bowed out" of the soap on his own accord for the purposes of the storyline about his affair with Sharon and to pursue other projects.[13][14] The nature of his departure was left ambiguous by both Sen and Walters.[15]
Walters and Lorraine Stanley were seen filming in an airport on 25 November 2019, which were initially believed to be Keanu's final scenes.[13] Keanu left the show to avoid the Mitchell family, as his death was being plotted.[16] Stanley believed Keanu would only return if Phil died, as the affair enraged Phil, saying "Maybe he'll come back one day? Never say never".[17] After the airport scene was aired, the actor was seen filming on the River Thames in January 2020.[18][19] The scenes were heavily speculated to air on the show's 35th anniversary.[19] On filming there, Walters said: "It's a fantastic feeling to be a part of something so iconic. I grew up watching EastEnders, so to be a part of this anniversary I feel really lucky".[20]
Return
Walters made an unannounced return as Keanu on 13 December 2022.[21][22] Executive producer Chris Clenshaw explained that he wanted to bring Keanu back because "he's got unfinished business and it's been almost three years".[22] When discussing his return, Walters was given brief details, but was excited about being set to return in the episode featuring the funeral of Dot Branning (June Brown), saying, "when I got the call from Chris, he told me about some of the storylines and When I heard what he wants Keanu to do, I couldn't help but want to come back. I'm very privileged to be coming back in such an iconic episode". Walters promised viewers a new side to Keanu, saying "The way I'm playing him now, there's a new type of character that you'll see from Keanu".[23][24]
Discussing his character's development, Walters said: "Sharon's a strong force but he's now got a child, Albie, who's two".[21] Clenshaw promised a more mature version of Keanu, adding that Keanu has grown up since his original stint, saying "I think Keanu left a boy and he returns as a man".[22] He also promised that the character was no longer afraid of Phil, saying "I don't really think Keanu thinks too much of Phil," the actor said. "What I mean by that is Keanu's focus and energy is on his family. Right now, Albie is the most important person to him".[25] "In Keanu's head, he's had the advice from Sam and Karen about how to make a relationship work".[25]
On his character's reunion with Sharon, Walters believed Keanu's attraction to Sharon tended to drive his decisions, saying "Sharon was always the reason that Keanu had a bit of purpose, really, and a bit of drive". There was a deep, deep attraction to Sharon that I guess even Keanu couldn't explain. There is something that he's drawn to and I think it's reciprocated because Sharon has someone, not just because he's younger, but someone who appreciates Sharon for who she is, and that's why that relationship works so well"[23][24] and that in his time away, Keanu got into bad habits and then fixed them, saying "he goes into those old habits where he sees himself becoming like his father so he tries to change those habits. I think while he was in Portugal and away from the Square he's had time to think about things, to grow up".[23]
Walters wanted to explore more of Keanu's family with his return, particularly his father, saying: "It's something I've always wanted to explore because, one, I think it's something that the audience will start to see a different side of Keanu's character and where the father comes into it, and why Keanu has been shaped the way he is, and the decisions he's made over the years, and I think he's been very lost over the years, not having that father figure. And which is really interesting, which I don't know whether this was ever scripted, but the way I played it when we were being myself and Steve McFadden is that Keanu is like the son that Phil never had and Phil was like the father Keanu never had and that's why looking back over the years ago, what happened, the whole complexity of that, how much he loved Phil and admired him and adored him, but obviously Keanu's decisions took them both down a very different path".[26]
Second departure
Following a flash-forward sequence in February 2023, showing a seemingly dead body on the floor of The Queen Victoria at Christmas, Keanu was one of the most suspected characters for the body.[27] Walters was "worried" for his character but admitted that he did not know who the body was at that point.[27] The storyline became known as "The Six", referring to the six female characters: Sharon, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), who were suspected to be the murderer.[28] "The Seven" was a list of seven male potential victims: Keanu, Phil, Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley), Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry), and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), was announced on 7 December 2023.[29][30] Keanu's inclusion was justified due to his close connection to Sharon and rivalry with Phil.[29][30][31]
Speculation for why Keanu would potentially be killed at Christmas generally centered on his and Karen's abduction of Albie being discovered[31] or his fling with Sam Mitchell being exposed.[32] Laura Denby of Radio Times initially ruled Keanu out of possibly being the victim as the suit he was wearing for his wedding was different than the one the body was wearing.[33] When asked if Keanu was the body, Walters said "I think there are multiple characters that are potential players for the cufflinks. This is what's great about the storyline, there's so many players involved, and anyone attached to those six women, or maybe not even attached to those six women; it could be any of us".[34] When asked if Keanu could be the victim, Letitia Dean said "Keanu obviously isn't the man Sharon thinks he is and although she is wracked with guilt over Albie's paternity she has no idea he is keeping this massive secret. Family is everything to Sharon, and the idea that Keanu would purposely play with her emotions in such a cruel way would absolutely break her. I don't think she could forgive him for that".[35] Chris Clenshaw said "As we head towards Christmas, it will become apparent and it will become very clear who the potential body is," he teased. "Not who the body actually is, but who the potential ones we're looking at are and the ones that it could be".[36] Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said "Christmas Day in Walford is always momentous" and praised the fans' speculations.[37]
Watched by 3.58 million people,[38] "The Six" storyline unfolded on Christmas Day 2023, where it is revealed that while Keanu died after being stabbed by Linda Carter, he was not the body on the floor.[37][39] Clenshaw explained that several fake scenes which included Keanu were filmed with the intention of throwing fans off the scent.[40] Walters felt honored to play the victim in Christmas episode,[41] calling it a "privilege" to play a major role in such an important moment.[42]
Storylines
2017–2020
Keanu, along with
) – van and warns him to stay away from his family. Mitch later returns and tries to stay with Karen and Keegan, but Keanu punches him.After a disagreement, Phil fires Keanu. Keanu sees
Keanu returns to
On Christmas Eve, Phil discovers the truth about Keanu and Sharon's affair and tries to attack Keanu but Ben suggests having someone else kill Keanu to prevent any evidence linking it to Phil. Phil and Ben tell Louise about the affair and they conspire to kill Keanu. Ben hires
In Phil's absence, Keanu returns and meets with Sharon, who agrees to leave Walford with him. Keanu kidnaps Ben's boyfriend Callum Highway (Tony Clay) and demands £100,000 from him. Ben tries to get the money but is unable to, so he calls Phil and tells him everything. Phil returns from Portugal, purchases a gun from Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and takes Karen hostage. Despite Karen's refusal to tell Phil anything, Phil finds Keanu and badly beats him, but Keanu tells him he is sorry and tells him where Callum is. Phil chases Keanu around the deck, causing the boat to crash. At the same time, Sharon gives birth to another son. Keanu, Ben, and Phil all escape, but Dennis dies by drowning. Sharon blames the affair for Dennis's death and demands Keanu leave, saying she never wants to see him again.
2022–2024
Keanu returns but Sharon refuses to let him see
Keanu meets Sharon in The Queen Vic for a date, but Sharon hesitates to reunite, but she is able to forgive him. Keanu starts a job as a
Keanu agrees to a job
Keanu discovers Phil has cheated on Kat with
Mitch finds out the truth about Albie's kidnap and confronts Keanu, who aggressively tells him to back off. Phil becomes suspicious when he sees Karen spending money in The Queen Vic, and when he finds his marked notes that were given to Sharon to pay off Albie's kidnapper, he is convinced that the Taylors kidnapped Albie. Phil confronts the Taylors and reveals the true circumstances behind Albie's kidnap in front of Sharon. Karen admits to being behind the kidnap and takes the blame for it to protect Keanu. Phil angrily confronts Keanu and demands his money back, while Sharon slaps Karen. Karen tells Mitch she is going to take Phil's money and flee Walford, but Mitch decides to stay and tells Keanu that he is dead to her. Phil tells Keanu that the Taylors' debt is now his and that Keanu owes him £50,000.
On Christmas Day 2023, Keanu asks Bernadette to move in with him and Sharon, but Keanu tells her to leave him alone. In revenge, Bernadette tells Phil that Keanu was behind Albie's kidnap, leading to Phil interrupting their wedding. Sharon punches Keanu and reveals to him that Albie is actually Phil's son, leaving both men shocked. Later, Sharon, Suki, Linda, Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) have a heated argument with Nish, who is knocked unconscious by Denise. Keanu arrives and demands to see Albie, but Sharon insists that Albie is not his son. When Keanu gets violent and tries to kill Sharon by strangling her, Linda stabs Keanu with a meat thermometer, killing him instantly. The women debate what to do with Keanu's body, but decide to hide it under the Bridge Street Café floorboards, call an ambulance for Nish, and claim Keanu held them all hostage at knifepoint and that he attacked Nish.
Keanu begins appearing as a hallucination to Denise after the incident when she experiences a psychotic episode. When the cement concealing Keanu's body under the floorboards caves in, Denise asks Jack to retrieve her necklace from the crime scene which would have incriminated her. While Jack successfully retrieves the necklace undetected, the mess of the floorboards causes Bernadette to discover Keanu's body. Sharon is then arrested for his murder, however the women then frame Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) for killing Keanu.
Reception
Danny Walters received several award nominations for his portrayal of Keanu. At the
After four months back on the show, Keanu's return was deemed "bland" and "unmemorable" by Alexandra Bullard of MyLondon.[48] Helen Daly of Radio Times called Keanu's character "loveable".[27] Walters described Keanu as "not an evil character, he just makes really poor decisions".[34] He also named his personal favourite scene as Keanu as Keanu's first scene, the arrival of the Taylor family.[41] In 2023, when discussing Sharon and Keanu's relationship, EastEnders' executive producer Chris Clenshaw told Digital Spy: "I think it was all kind of fun and lots of mischief when they were having an affair a few years ago, but they're quite different people when it comes down to it."[29] Lewis Knight of Radio Times called the character a "favourite"[41] and following his death, called Walters's performance "natural" and wrote that Keanu "succumbs to his worst impulses and loses his life in the process. A heartbreaking but logical conclusion to a character who started as a sweet hero and ended up a desperate villain no longer worthy of Walford icon Sharon Watts".[49]
See also
References
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