Danny Moon

Danny Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by actor Jake Maskall from 2004 to 2006. Introduced as the hot-headed younger brother of Jake Moon and second cousin to Alfie Moon, he arrived in the fictional setting of Albert Square alongside his brother to visit their relatives, quickly becoming entangled in the criminal underworld.^[1]^[2]^[3] 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 Dennis Rickman in a plot that shocked viewers and highlighted the dangers of organized crime in Walford. 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 Jake. Maskall, who played the role for approximately one year initially, requested that Danny be permanently killed off to avoid potential future returns and typecasting, reflecting the character's intense but short-lived impact on the series.^[4]^[3]^[5] The character made a brief return in March 2006 for the "Get Johnny Week" arc, where Phil 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 antagonist in the Moon family saga. Danny's arc contributed to broader EastEnders narratives exploring crime, betrayal, and redemption within extended families, influencing subsequent Moon-related storylines.^[6]^[5]^[3]

Casting and development

Casting

Jake Maskall was cast as Danny Moon for the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2004. His prior television credits included a guest appearance as Paul Vesey in the medical drama Casualty in 2002 and as Alan Scobie in the detective series Murder City earlier in 2004, which contributed to his consideration for the role.^[7] Executive producer Kathleen Hutchison oversaw the casting as part of efforts to expand the Moon family storyline with darker, more antagonistic elements.^[8] Maskall was selected to portray the younger brother Danny, described in the official announcement as one of the "darker sides" of the family, emphasizing a brooding and criminal persona.^[1] The BBC Press Office announced Maskall's casting on 16 November 2004, ahead of Danny's on-screen debut on 30 December 2004.^[1] 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.^[1] The development of Danny occurred under executive producer Kathleen Hutchison, who oversaw the soap from mid-2004 and sought to revitalize storylines with new mob-related intrigue following her predecessor. Hutchison's tenure emphasized sibling rivalry 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.^[9] 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 loyalty, betrayal, and psychological turmoil that drove his interactions within the Moon family and beyond.^[10] 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 Phil Mitchell, highlighting contrasts in aggression and moral ambiguity to fuel ongoing rivalries. Jake Maskall's casting 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 EastEnders on 30 December 2004, arriving in the fictional setting of Walford alongside his older brother Jake Moon.^[11] The brothers were portrayed as the darker side of the Moon family, paying a surprise visit to their second cousins, pub landlord Alfie Moon and his brother Spencer Moon, which immediately irritated Alfie upon their unannounced arrival.^[1] 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.^[12] 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.^[12] Their early interactions underscored Danny's aggressive and volatile personality; on New Year's Eve 2004, the brothers persuaded the impressionable Spencer to assist with their shady dealings, drawing him into their world and further straining family dynamics.^[11] This setup revealed Danny's role in the local hierarchy as a loyal yet hot-headed operative, willing to use intimidation 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.^[13] These initial clashes, including physical confrontations in early 2005, 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.^[12]

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 underworld.^[6] Previously entangled in a feud with Hunter, Moon shifted allegiances seamlessly, handling intimidation and enforcement duties to protect Allen's operations from rivals.^[5] 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.^[14] 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.^[15] Moon's role in the murder was later exposed via video footage during a confrontation, highlighting the precarious dynamics in Allen's circle.^[16] 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.^[17] 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.^[6] Moon's tactics within Allen's organization grew increasingly paranoid and volatile, marked by double-crosses and violent reprisals that strained internal loyalties.^[5] His enforcement style, involving arson attempts and direct confrontations, fueled suspicions and conflicts, ultimately contributing to the collapse of Allen's reign as external pressures mounted.^[15]

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.^[18] His bond with older brother Jake Moon was fraught with sibling rivalry, evolving from familial closeness into deep-seated betrayal. The brothers' interactions in Walford 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.^[3] As second cousins to Alfie Moon, Danny's family ties involved layers of manipulation and occasional alliances. Alfie exemplified early loyalty by assuming responsibility for a credit card fraud scheme perpetrated by Jake and Danny, enduring a three-year prison 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 Walford. Beyond immediate family, Danny experienced notable interpersonal tensions with Walford residents, including confrontations with the Mitchell brothers, 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.^[3]

Death

Danny Moon's final storyline unfolded during the "Get Johnny Week" event in late March 2006, a week-long narrative arc centered on gangster Johnny 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 Mitchell brothers on Allen's behalf but ultimately failed in the endeavor.^[5] The turning point came when Danny's brother, Jake Moon, learned of Danny's pivotal role in the murder of Dennis Rickman, whom Danny had stabbed to death on New Year's Eve 2005 (31 December) under Allen's orders.^[19] 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 woodland area, Jake intervened by shooting him in the back, accidentally killing his brother in a desperate bid to halt the violence.^[2]^[20] In the immediate aftermath, Jake confessed the killing to the authorities, resulting in his arrest and imprisonment, while Danny's body was discovered in the woods, 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.^[2] Actor Jake Maskall, who portrayed Danny, 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.^[5]

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 ladies' man entangled in Walford's criminal underbelly. Critics noted the character's appeal in capturing the archetype of a witty cockney 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 2006 death storyline during "Get Johnny Week" emphasized its contribution to EastEnders' crime genre tropes, but often with mixed or negative tones. Grace Dent in The Guardian 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 Roddy Piper straight-to-DVD movie," marked by car chases, macho posturing, and rushed resolutions that prioritized spectacle over depth.^[21] This storyline, while aiming to reunite the Mitchell brothers for high-stakes revenge, was later viewed by some as emblematic of the era's excessive violence and illogical plotting.^[5] 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.^[22]

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 Mitchell brothers, Phil and Grant. As Allen's enforcer, Moon participated in high-stakes crimes such as the disposal of Dennis Rickman's body after his murder and a botched assassination attempt on the Mitchells in a remote forest, which amplified the show's focus on organized crime and betrayal within Walford's underworld.^[6]^[19] Moon's arc peaked during "Get Johnny Week" in late March 2006, a concentrated thriller storyline centered on Allen's downfall where Danny's alliance with Allen in targeting the Mitchells 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.^[6] 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 Ruby Allen 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.^[23]