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Danny Moon
Danny Moon
Danny Moon
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Danny Moon
EastEnders character
Portrayed byJake Maskall
Duration2004–2006
First appearanceEpisode 2863
30 December 2004 (2004-12-30)
Last appearanceEpisode 3127
31 March 2006 (2006-03-31)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byKathleen Hutchison (2004)
Kate Harwood (2006)
In-universe information
FatherBobby Moon
MotherAlison Moon
BrothersJake Moon
Other relatives

Danny Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Jake Maskall.[1] He made his first appearance on 30 December 2004 and was initially supposed to last appear in July 2005,[2] but reappeared on 24 March 2006 before the character was killed off on 31 March 2006.

The character debuted alongside his older brother Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) and is established as a cousin of the established character Alfie Moon (Shane Richie). During his time on the show, Danny is involved in several plot lines that contribute to his strained relationship with both Jake and their boss Johnny Allen (Billy Murray). This involves Danny sparking a feud with mob boss Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs), entering a relationship with Andy's ex-wife Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), and killing local hardman Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) on Johnny's request.

In March 2006, Danny's character arc ended during the Get Johnny Week storyline, when he attempts to kill Sam's brothers Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp) on Johnny's orders - only to be accidentally killed by Jake after the latter discovered the truth about Dennis' murder. As such, Jake also comes to realize through Danny's "bond" with Johnny's daughter Ruby (Louisa Lytton) of just how their involvement in Johnny's criminal reign has rendered Danny mentally unstable beyond repair — thus destroying their brotherly interaction in the process.

Storylines

[edit]

Danny Moon first arrives in Albert Square - the community of Walford, a fictionalized borough in East London - in late December 2004, along with his older brother Jake (Joel Beckett). Their second cousin, Alfie (Shane Richie) is not happy to see them since, they are always in trouble - as evident when it quickly turns out that Alfie had previously taken the blame for their crimes and went to prison for three years for credit card fraud. He nevertheless allows Jake and Danny to stay at his house in exchange for helping him and his younger brother Spencer (Christopher Parker) look after their grandmother, Nana (Hilda Braid).

It soon transpires that Danny and Jake are henchmen who work for their crime boss Johnny Allen (Billy Murray), who recently ordered them to deliver a package on his behalf; this was unsuccessful due to Danny's incompetence and Jake later uncovering drugs in the package. Johnny soon arrives in Walford to confront the brothers over the situation, and they are forced to explain the drugs in the package. After ordering them to remain in Walford for further examination of their progress, Johnny arranges for Jake and Danny to work for the square's gangland kingpin - Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs).

Their efforts to impress Johnny by working for Andy grow difficult when the latter sparks a feud with the brothers, with Danny particularly clashing with Andy on several occasions. This continues when it is publicly alleged that Andy has organized the death of his employee Paul Trueman (Gary Beadle), to which Danny tauntingly probes Andy regarding his inability to cover up his tracks. Andy later plans to get revenge on Danny by roping him in his scheme to defraud Johnny out of his £750,000 and deceiving him into believing that both Jake and Johnny view him as weak, further asserting that Danny's contribution would change Johnny's viewpoint on him instead of Jake. He reluctantly agrees and helps Andy in his scheme, after which Andy betrays Danny by leaving him behind. However, Andy's scheme fails when Johnny intercepts his plan and kills Andy by throwing him off a motorway bridge. The next day, Danny learns about Andy's death and - deducing that Johnny killed him - becomes paranoid that Johnny will kill him next. His attempts to calm down over the situation lead to Danny having a brief relationship with Andy's estranged wife, Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf). Later on, Danny is enraged when Johnny fires him for incompetence and steals his business idea to expand his nightclub - Scarlet. In retaliation, he sets fire to Johnny's house and uses the incident to try and prove to Johnny how he should be taken more seriously.

Danny and Jake later plan on leaving Walford before Johnny finds out, but are caught out when Johnny finds Danny and forces him into his car. Jake then gets into the car to stay with his brother. Johnny drives them to a forest and locks Jake in the car as he prepares to shoot Danny; however, Jake kicks the car window out and escapes into the woods to find them. He tries to persuade Johnny not to kill Danny. The episode ends with Johnny raising the gun at both of them, however, their fate is not revealed until a few months later when Jake turns up, where it turns out that Johnny let them go: under the agreement that they were not seen again. Johnny allows Jake to stay in Walford but refuses for Danny to ever return. Jake reveals that Danny has gone abroad.

Off-screen, Danny begins working for Johnny to make amends for his actions. On New Year's Eve 2005, Johnny contacts Danny and orders him to murder Andy's best friend, Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) - who had severely beaten Johnny in retribution for killing Andy and threatening to harm Dennis' wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). Returning to the Square that same night, Danny stabs Dennis in the chest and slips away unseen; Dennis ends up dying in Sharon's arms. He later reveals this to Jake, by showing him a video of the murder, on his mobile phone.[3] Jake is later summoned to Scarlet, only to be greeted by Danny - who is there to look after things for Johnny during the latter's absence; Johnny has moved to Essex. Danny reveals his working relationship with Johnny. After hearing that his grandmother Nana (Hilda Braid) has died, he leaves again.

Towards the end of March 2006, Sam's two older brothers Phil (Steve McFadden) and his brother Grant (Ross Kemp) - dubbed the "Mitchell Brothers" in Walford - arrive in Essex with the intention of bringing Johnny to justice for Dennis' murder on behalf of Sharon, who had previously married Grant until she had an affair with Phil. It soon emerges at this point that Danny has been staying with Johnny in Essex. When Johnny gets ambushed by the Mitchell Brothers, he asks Danny to look after his daughter Ruby (Louisa Lytton) while he deals with Phil and Grant alone. Danny's behavior then shows signs of mental illness when he refers to Johnny as "dad" when asks Ruby if he ever talks about him. He also tells Ruby to get undressed but promises not to look. He then drugs Ruby with sleeping pills and lies on her bed, watching her sleep. Jake eventually tracks Danny down and tries to persuade him to return to Walford. Danny doesn't want to go because he thinks Johnny needs him and Johnny's home is his home as well. This causes Jake to realize that Danny has become mentally unstable and that Johnny is merely using him to settle down a new life away from Walford.

Johnny returns and is intent on killing the Mitchells with Danny's help. Danny is again confronted by his brother. During the conversation, Danny produces a mobile phone with video evidence that it was he who had killed Dennis on New Year's Eve. After a short struggle, Danny knocks Jake unconscious with a baseball bat and - under Johnny's orders - marches the Mitchells into the nearby woods armed with the shotgun and a spade with the intent to kill and bury them. Just as Danny prepares to execute Grant, he is suddenly killed when Jake appears with a pistol - which Danny had dropped in the earlier struggle between the brothers - and shoots him, albeit unintentionally killing him in the process; Jake had only meant to shoot Danny in the arm or leg to save the Mitchell Brothers.[4]

After confessing that Danny was the one who stabbed Dennis on Johnny's orders, Jake buries his brother in the woods - using the spade to mark his grave - whilst Phil and Grant rush out to confront Johnny, only to find that Ruby has already forced her dad to turn himself in for the murders of Andy and Dennis. The only people who are aware that Jake killed Danny are the Mitchell Brothers, Ruby, and her boyfriend Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky); a guilt-ridden Jake insists that he never intended for Danny to die.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Danny Moon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Danny Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by actor from 2004 to 2006. Introduced as the hot-headed younger brother of and second cousin to , he arrived in the fictional setting of Albert Square alongside his brother to visit their relatives, quickly becoming entangled in the criminal underworld. Danny's storyline centered on his volatile personality and loyalty to gangster boss Johnny Allen, for whom he carried out violent acts, including the murder of in a plot that shocked viewers and highlighted the dangers of in . He developed a brief romantic relationship with Sam Mitchell amid the turmoil, but his actions strained familial ties, particularly with his more level-headed brother , who played the role for approximately one year initially, requested that Danny be permanently killed off to avoid potential future returns and , reflecting the character's intense but short-lived impact on the series. The character made a brief return in March 2006 for the "Get Week" arc, where and Grant Mitchell sought revenge against Allen; during this episode, Danny was accidentally shot and killed by Jake in a forest confrontation, marking his final appearance and cementing his role as a tragic in the Moon family saga. Danny's arc contributed to broader narratives exploring crime, betrayal, and redemption within extended families, influencing subsequent Moon-related storylines.

Casting and development

Casting

Jake Maskall was cast as Danny Moon for the in 2004. His prior television credits included a guest appearance as Paul Vesey in the Casualty in 2002 and as Alan Scobie in the series Murder City earlier in 2004, which contributed to his consideration for the role. Kathleen Hutchison oversaw the casting as part of efforts to expand the Moon family storyline with darker, more antagonistic elements. Maskall was selected to portray the Danny, described in the official announcement as one of the "darker sides" of the family, emphasizing a brooding and criminal persona. The BBC Press Office announced Maskall's casting on 16 November 2004, ahead of Danny's on-screen debut on 30 December 2004. He was contracted for an initial run from late 2004 through 2005, during which he appeared regularly before a brief return in 2006.

Character creation

Danny Moon was conceived as the younger brother of Jake Moon, with the pair introduced to broaden the Moon family presence in EastEnders by injecting darker, more antagonistic elements into the established dynamics centered around cousins Alfie and Spencer Moon. This expansion aimed to heighten narrative tension through familial ties intertwined with emerging criminal undercurrents in Walford. The characters' debut was announced in late 2004, positioning them as surprise visitors whose arrival would unsettle the Square's social fabric. The development of occurred under Kathleen Hutchison, who oversaw the from mid-2004 and sought to revitalize storylines with new mob-related intrigue following her predecessor. Hutchison's tenure emphasized between the Moon brothers and their entanglement in the criminal activities spearheaded by the newly introduced gangster Johnny Allen, adding layers of conflict and power struggles to the show's ensemble. Subsequent adjustments to Danny's arc were made by incoming producer Kate Harwood in 2005, refining his role to culminate in the high-stakes "Get Johnny Week" storyline of 2006, which amplified the criminal narrative's intensity. In scripting, Danny was established as a ruthless yet internally conflicted figure in the criminal world, the son of Bobby Moon, embodying core themes of , , and psychological turmoil that drove his interactions within the Moon family and beyond. His initial outlines for the debut episode on 30 December 2004 (Episode 2863) framed him as a sharp contrast—or foil—to longstanding tough characters like , highlighting contrasts in aggression and moral ambiguity to fuel ongoing rivalries. Jake Maskall's as Danny prompted minor refinements to these traits for enhanced dramatic depth.

Storylines

Arrival and early involvement

Danny Moon made his first appearance in the BBC soap opera on 30 December 2004, arriving in the fictional setting of alongside his older brother . The brothers were portrayed as the darker side of the Moon family, paying a surprise visit to their second cousins, pub landlord and his brother , which immediately irritated Alfie upon their unannounced arrival. This introduction highlighted the Moons' family ties within Walford's established Moon lineage, positioning Danny and Jake as outsiders with a more menacing presence compared to their relatives. As enforcers for the ruthless crime boss Johnny Allen, Danny and Jake quickly integrated into Walford's criminal underbelly, establishing their residence in the community while handling Allen's illicit operations. Their early interactions underscored Danny's aggressive and volatile personality; on 2004, the brothers persuaded the impressionable Spencer to assist with their shady dealings, drawing him into their world and further straining family dynamics. This setup revealed Danny's role in the local hierarchy as a loyal yet hot-headed operative, willing to use to maintain control. The brothers' arrival soon sparked tensions with rival gangster Andy Hunter, a key player in Walford's underworld, as Danny's enforcer duties for Allen placed him at the center of escalating rivalries. These initial clashes, including physical confrontations in early , exemplified Danny's combative nature and solidified his position as a formidable figure in the square's criminal landscape, blending into everyday life while advancing Allen's interests.

Criminal entanglements

Danny Moon's criminal involvement deepened following the death of Andy Hunter in February 2005, after which he pledged unwavering loyalty to Johnny Allen, serving as his primary enforcer in Walford's . Previously entangled in a feud with Hunter, Moon shifted allegiances seamlessly, handling intimidation and enforcement duties to protect Allen's operations from rivals. This loyalty culminated in Moon's execution of Allen's order to murder Dennis Rickman on New Year's Eve 2005 (31 December), stabbing him in an alleyway as retribution for Rickman's threats to Allen's empire. The killing, aired in early 2006 episodes, sparked immediate cover-ups within the organization, with Moon concealing evidence while tensions escalated between him and his brother Jake over the act's brutality. Moon's role in the murder was later exposed via video footage during a confrontation, highlighting the precarious dynamics in Allen's circle. In March 2006, during the "Get Johnny Week" storyline, Moon was dispatched by Allen to eliminate key threats, including Phil and Grant Mitchell, who sought vengeance for Rickman's death. He lured Phil into a forest ambush, intending to shoot him, but the plan unraveled amid the brothers' intervention, underscoring Moon's ruthless efficiency in targeting Allen's enemies. Moon's tactics within Allen's organization grew increasingly paranoid and volatile, marked by double-crosses and violent reprisals that strained internal loyalties. His enforcement style, involving attempts and direct confrontations, fueled suspicions and conflicts, ultimately contributing to the collapse of Allen's reign as external pressures mounted.

Relationships and conflicts

Danny Moon developed a brief romantic relationship with Sam Mitchell in 2005, following her separation from Andy Hunter. Initially serving as a rebound for Sam, the pairing evolved into a more intimate connection marked by shared confidences about personal matters, though it was undermined by Danny's tendency to withhold key aspects of his life, creating emotional strain and leading to its dissolution. His bond with older brother was fraught with sibling rivalry, evolving from familial closeness into deep-seated betrayal. The brothers' interactions in highlighted ongoing power struggles and loyalty tests, particularly as external influences from figures like Johnny Allen exacerbated divisions, resulting in irreversible trust breakdowns that fractured their relationship. As second cousins to , Danny's family ties involved layers of manipulation and occasional alliances. Alfie exemplified early loyalty by assuming responsibility for a scheme perpetrated by Jake and Danny, enduring a three-year term as a result; this sacrifice underscored the complex emotional undercurrents within the Moon clan, though Danny's manipulative tendencies later strained their dynamic during shared time in . Beyond immediate family, Danny experienced notable interpersonal tensions with Walford residents, including confrontations with the , Phil and Grant. These clashes, intensified by Danny's romantic link to their sister Sam and broader personal animosities, revealed Danny's combative side and added emotional depth to his entanglements in the community.

Death

Danny Moon's final storyline unfolded during the "Get Johnny Week" event in late March 2006, a week-long arc centered on Allen's revenge against Phil and Grant Mitchell for past grievances. Suffering from a mental breakdown amid the intense pressure of his criminal loyalties, Danny attempted to assassinate the on Allen's behalf but ultimately failed in the endeavor. The turning point came when Danny's brother, , learned of Danny's pivotal role in the murder of , whom Danny had stabbed to death on 2005 (31 December) under Allen's orders. This revelation, building on prior sibling tensions, led to a fatal confrontation between the brothers. On 31 March 2006, as Danny prepared to execute Phil and Grant Mitchell in a secluded area, Jake intervened by shooting him in the back, accidentally killing his brother in a desperate bid to halt the violence. In the immediate aftermath, Jake confessed the killing to the authorities, resulting in his and imprisonment, while 's body was discovered , bringing closure to the Moon family's involvement in Allen's criminal web. The event shattered the remaining Moon siblings, exacerbating their isolation and grief following years of entangled loyalties and betrayals. Actor , who portrayed , had returned specifically for this storyline after an earlier brief exit; post-filming, he confirmed his permanent departure from the series, having insisted that the character be killed off to ensure no possibility of return and to move on from the role.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Jake Maskall's portrayal of Danny Moon was initially well-received for bringing a smooth, charming, and cunning edge to the role of a entangled in Walford's criminal underbelly. Critics noted the character's appeal in capturing the of a witty operator, contributing to his early popularity among audiences. The Moon brothers' arc, particularly Danny's involvement in criminal entanglements like his alliance with Johnny Allen, drew criticism for predictability and one-dimensional villainy in media commentary. Media coverage of Danny's death storyline during "Get Johnny Week" emphasized its contribution to ' crime genre tropes, but often with mixed or negative tones. Grace Dent in critiqued the week's dramatic climax—including Danny being shot dead by his brother Jake—as part of an over-the-top narrative resembling a "Rowdy straight-to-DVD movie," marked by car chases, macho posturing, and rushed resolutions that prioritized spectacle over depth. This storyline, while aiming to reunite the for high-stakes revenge, was later viewed by some as emblematic of the era's excessive violence and illogical plotting. Regarding awards, Maskall did not receive a nomination for the 2006 British Soap Awards' Villain of the Year, which was awarded to Billy Murray for his portrayal of Johnny Allen, reflecting the storyline's focus on the latter as the primary antagonist.

Impact on EastEnders

Danny Moon's introduction bolstered EastEnders' exploration of gangster elements during the 2004-2006 period, aligning his criminal activities with those of boss Johnny Allen and intensifying rivalries with the , Phil and Grant. As Allen's enforcer, Moon participated in high-stakes crimes such as the disposal of Dennis Rickman's body after his and a botched attempt on the Mitchells in a remote forest, which amplified the show's focus on and betrayal within Walford's underworld. Moon's arc peaked during "Get Johnny Week" in late March 2006, a concentrated thriller storyline centered on downfall where Danny's with Allen in targeting the led to his fatal confrontation, serving as a catalyst for dramatic confrontations and revelations. This event, under executive producer Kate Harwood, exemplified a pivot toward suspense-driven narratives over domestic romances, with Moon's death providing a climactic resolution that propelled the crime wave forward. The character's demise had lasting repercussions for the Moon family dynamics, enabling Jake Moon's redemption storyline as he grappled with burying his brother and assuming guardianship of following Allen's arrest, themes of remorse and familial duty that deepened subsequent family explorations. Alfie Moon's ongoing role as a central figure further sustained the family's narrative footprint, integrating their arcs into broader community conflicts long after Danny's exit.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/11_november/16/moons.shtml
  2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/FD5jZ3bHzWZ4htZCk8MLV9/jake-moon
  3. https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/eastenders-actor-who-played-alfie-24467724
  4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3yK4V466ytRNZkVlTsDBHYq/dennis-rickman
  5. https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a783183/ex-eastenders-star-jake-maskall-reveals-he-demanded-to-be-killed-off-as-danny-moon/
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3vyTDN3gpGrP33rtvBrj3g0/johnny-allen
  7. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jake_maskall
  8. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1597814/
  9. https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/643389/EastEnders-Danny-Moon-The-Royals-Jake-Maskall
  10. https://eastenders.fandom.com/wiki/Danny_Moon
  11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/episodes/finder/list_episode_200412.shtml
  12. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-moon-family-now-firefighter-24795779
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31439826
  14. https://www.whattowatch.com/news/nigel-harman-reveals-shock-reason-dennis-rickman-was-killed-off-in-eastenders
  15. https://www.metro.co.uk/2019/10/29/who-was-johnny-allen-in-eastenders-and-when-did-he-kill-sharons-husband-dennis-rickman-11006187/
  16. https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a785564/what-killed-off-eastenders-cast-look-like-now-from-trevor-morgan-to-danny-moon/
  17. https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/eastenders/who-was-johnny-allen-kill/
  18. https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a19273/eastenders-actor-reveals-he-is-gay/
  19. https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/29/who-was-johnny-allen-in-eastenders-and-when-did-he-kill-sharons-husband-dennis-rickman-11006187/
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2016/may/18/every-eastenders-death-peggy-mitchell-barbara-windsor
  21. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/apr/08/tvandradio.broadcasting
  22. https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a33275/in-full-british-soap-awards-winners/
  23. https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a62152369/eastenders-jake-moon-chrissie-watts/
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