‘Blake 7’ audiobook writer remembers Michael Keating: ‘I will never forget working with one of my childhood heroes’

Cavan Scott, one of the co-writers for the ‘Blake 7’ series, recently opened up about his work and Michael Keating’s passing. Scott worked with Keating on the audiobooks and full-cast audio dramas based on the hit sci-fi British show. He opened up about his journey with the actor and the plans he had for the series before it ended.

Cavan Scott recalls how he had a different ending for Michael Keating in ‘Blake 7’ audio books

The writer uploaded a long passage on his blog following the veteran actor’s passing. He opened up about working with the actor, along with other cast members, and how he had planned a different ending for the audio series compared to what happened in the TV show.

‘Blake 7’ came to an abrupt end after the final episode rolled out, and much to the fans' surprise, the entire space crew was killed off in that episode. While sharing his thoughts on the matter, he added in his blog that “my original plans for Blake’s 7 were scuppered by various behind-the-scenes shenanigans.” He also added that the audiobook was meant to follow seasons 1, 2 and 3. However, things turned out differently when he moved on as the producer for the show.

He added that “Vila would have been revealed as one of the only survivors of the massacre at the end of Blake, having played dead among the corpses of his shipmates. He would have started a new life for himself, on a distant colony, crafting a new identity, although his carefully constructed—and eminently safe—lifestyle would have been rocked when someone from his past turned up on his doorstep.” Scott wanted to breathe new life into Keating and his character for the audiobooks, giving fans what they had wanted at the time.

He concluded his blog by adding that while things did not work out as he wished, he was still happy with the opportunity. In his blog post he added, “Something to file under the ‘what ifs’ of the last few decades. One thing is for certain: I will never forget working with one of my childhood heroes. RIP Michael. Maximum Power.”

About ‘Blake 7’

‘Blake 7’ was a popular TV show in Britain which ran for 52 episodes. The premise of the show was set around A group of misfits in a time where intergalactic travel is possible. Roj Blake is falsely accused by the totalitarian Terran Federation and escapes on the alien ship, the Liberator. He, along with his crew, then wages a war against those in power.