Anthony Moon

Anthony Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Matt Lapinskas. He was introduced on 25 July 2011, as an extension to the Moon family. The son of Eddie Moon (David Essex), half brother of Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd) and brother of Tyler Moon (Tony Discipline), his storylines have focused on the friendship between him and Tyler, and his relationships with Poppy Meadow (Rachel Bright), Jodie Gold (Kylie Babbington), Amira Masood (Preeya Kalidas) and Alice Branning (Jasmyn Banks).

Anthony and brother Tyler were announced as new characters in May 2011, played by Lapinskas and Discipline respectively, although Tyler made his debut at an earlier date. Described as someone who "will rely on his brains and natural wit to find a more sensitive solution to any conflict", it is found out that Anthony has a gambling problem before his character arrived in Walford, which is later a focus of one of the storylines. Lapinskas said of his relationship with half-brother Michael that Anthony "idolises" him, and that Michael "corrupted" Anthony. When Eddie leaves, Anthony takes charge of his antiques business. Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said that the Moon brothers would bring a new element to the show. Inside Soap held a poll to see which of the new Moon family members, Eddie, Tyler or Anthony, its readers were most looking forward to seeing; Anthony came third with 12 per cent of the vote. Anthony left EastEnders on 30 August 2012.

The character was announced on 10 May 2011, as an extension to the Moon family, with the part being cast to Matt Lapinskas. The character was announced at the same time as Anthony's brother Tyler, which was to be played by Tony Discipline. Lapinskas said he was over the moon over his casting and said it's good that he will be appearing on a show that he has been a lifelong fan of. He also added that the cast and crew ere very welcoming. Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said that Lapinskas and Discipline are great additions to the show and that along with Eddie, they could become an established family on the Square. Tyler and Anthony were suspected to be "a couple of likely lads who are more than likely to cause a stir in Albert Square." Anthony first appears on 25 July 2011. Lapinskas appears as Anthony in EastEnders E20 before starting in EastEnders, saying that it "broke him in". In February 2012, Lapinskas said to Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy that he was "really enjoying" EastEnders and that it is "a real learning curve".

In an interview with Inside Soap, Kirkwood said that Anthony and Tyler would bring a new element to EastEnders, "There's been no shortage of brilliant and sexy women in EastEnders over the past few years and it was about time there were some blokes to join them. Tony and Matt are great actors, and the fact that they're easy on the eye is a great advantage". "What the brothers bring is romance and fun, because that's something we've been a little short-changed on in EastEnders recently. The Moons are a very interesting family to work with – they're all big characters. It's a great new era for that clan". Kirkwood added that "there is more to the pair than meets the eye" saying that there "are a couple of buried secrets between Eddie and his sons" confirming it will be "a big story for the summer". He finished, "there'll be consequences for all concerned". Kirkwood later added, "What I hope we've created in Tyler and Anthony are blokes you might see in the pub on a Friday night with an appetite for life – and for women."

"Anthony Moon's a good looking, well groomed & reliable young lad. Like many of the Moon clan, he can turn on the charm with the ladies, but deep down, he is a romantic like his father and likes to fall in love."

When Anthony was introduced, it was revealed that he was a gambling addict. Of this, Lapinskas said, "it's a great thing that our executive producer Bryan Kirkwood and the EastEnders team came up with for Anthony – that he does have this gambling problem and various insecurities connected with it. It adds some more depth to the character and it's brilliant when we can explore that. With every topic and every storyline that crops up, I think Anthony's background will always have an effect and impact on it. That's really nice to play."

Anthony is described as someone who "will rely on his brains and natural wit to find a more sensitive solution to any conflict" and "calm" by Digital Spy and the BBC. Tyler and Anthony were described as "heart-throbs" and "ladykillers", with the official EastEnders website adding that Anthony is a "well groomed & reliable young lad". Anthony and Tyler's different personalities are teased in the promotional video, which sees them recalling a prank Tyler played on his older brother before he mocks Anthony's inability to speak to "gorgeous" girls".

Anthony's relationship with father Eddie was not as good as Tyler's relationship with Eddie, Lapinskas told Digital Spy of this, "[Anthony] wants to show his dad that he's the man to take over the [family] business. For Anthony, his main interest is the antiques emporium – forget the girls!". Of his relationship with his half brother Michael (Steve John Shepherd), he said that Michael "corrupted" Anthony explaining, "Anthony just idolises him, the fact of the matter is that Michael has his own business and has all this money coming in, without having to worry about all the family politics, so Anthony's in awe of that".