EastEnders 2026 preview: 10 spoilers for the year ahead from Max Branning twists to Sukeve adoption

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Walford saw a dramatic festive season with surprising twists, shocking crimes, and intense conflicts, but that was only a preview of what’s coming in EastEnders in 2026!

The show jumped ahead a year to Max Branning’s wedding day as a preview of what’s to come, but it raised a lot of questions without providing many solutions.

Just who is he marrying? And who is the woman beside him in bed, who is expecting a baby? After witnessing them being threatened with a gun, will Max ultimately choose to save Lauren or Oscar?

EastEnders 2026 preview: 10 spoilers for the year ahead from Max Branning twists to Sukeve adoption

1. Chrissie Watts caught or Zoe Slater jailed for life?

Everyone was shocked and delighted when Chrissie Watts, played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, unexpectedly returned in a Christmas episode of the soap opera in 2025.

The person responsible for Zoe Slater’s stalking and for manipulating Jasmine Fisher – the one who killed Dirty Den – was released without facing consequences.

Chrissie is the main person police suspect in Anthony Trueman’s murder. Meanwhile, Kat Moon is traveling to Corfu to investigate a clue, and Zoe is in jail, wrongly accused of killing the father of her child.

Is Chrissie responsible for Dr. Trueman’s death? Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman recently suggested she might return to the show on social media, alongside the new cast member Ronni Ancona, implying Chrissie’s story isn’t finished. This leaves Jasmine’s fate uncertain.

2. Jasmine Fisher shows her true colours

Zoe’s daughter, who she hadn’t seen in years, says Chrissie manipulated her into frightening people. However, Jasmine is unpredictable, and it’s hard to know what she’ll do next.

Jean Slater doesn’t trust Jasmine, and Jasmine’s arrival has actually caused Jean to experience a period of emotional instability. However, over the next few weeks, Jasmine’s actions begin to make people wonder what she’s really up to.

During a visit last year, the girl’s adoptive mother revealed she can be unpredictable and troubled, and we’re starting to see that side of her. Lily Slater lets her recently found relative, Jasmine, watch her daughter Charli, but Jasmine makes a mistake that leads to some concerning problems.

Patrick Trueman worries about his granddaughter and starts to question who she really is. Is his distrust justified?

3. Joel Marshall returns for trial drama and love triangle for Vicki Fowler

In 2025, discussions about the “manosphere” and the harmful effects of online sexism on young men were widespread. The popular streaming series Adolescence received critical acclaim, and the long-running soap opera EastEnders joined the conversation with a troubling storyline featuring the character Joel Marshall (played by Max Murray) and his toxic behavior.

Vicki Fowler (played by Alice Haig) was severely attacked by her stepson and left for dead. When Ross Marshall (Alex Marshall) informed the police about the assault, his son was taken into custody.

EastEnders’ boss, Ben Wadey, has revealed that the character Joel will return in 2026 as part of a new storyline. Viewers will see Joel face the music for his past deeds when his trial takes place.

He’s denying the charges, and it’s hard to understand why he’d choose to go to trial and put everyone through that. Vicki is especially upset; she really hoped to build a future with her partner, Ross, but now she connects him to the situation involving Joel, which is incredibly difficult for her.

Vicki is starting to develop feelings for Zack Hudson (James Farrar), creating a dramatic love triangle that will unfold in the new year.

Will justice catch up with Joel, and can Vicki and Zack resist their attraction?

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4. Ravi Gulati’s revenge nightmare

In 2025, Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) made some serious mistakes when he became involved in a large-scale drug operation. This had a devastating impact on Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) and Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho), and tragically led to the death of another gang member, Okie (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu).

Ravi will have to deal with the consequences of his actions,” says Wadey. “This will deeply affect him and his family, and the start of the new year will also bring a revenge plan from Harry.”

Nicola Mitchell, posing as Laura Doddington, gave Ravi a drug as revenge for what happened to her son, Harry. This caused a frightening situation with lasting consequences. Ravi began hallucinating his deceased father, Nish Panesar, and violently attacked the vision, not realizing his son, Nugget, was standing directly in his path.

Nugget is now in a coma following the violent outburst. Will he be OK?

5. A tearful goodbye to Nigel Bates

Viewers have been deeply moved by Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) struggle with dementia, and the storyline will continue to deliver emotional moments in 2026. According to writer Wadey, following the touching dementia episode featuring hallucinations of Pat Evans, Barry Evans, and Debbie Bates, Nigel’s story will explore themes of heart, warmth, and realism, with standout performances from Paul Bradley and Steve McFadden (as Phil Mitchell).

“Those relationships see us through further into this year.”

6. Max Branning and Cindy Beale’s dangerous year

The New Year’s Day episode featured a dramatic preview of what’s to come for Max Branning, hinting at a year filled with trouble.

This week’s episode left viewers with a lot of unanswered questions. While we won’t get full explanations for another year, it’s already apparent that Max will be making some poor decisions.

Wadey says Max claims he’s changed his ways, but questions whether he’ll actually stick to it. A year later, things have fallen apart – Max has been arrested, gotten married, and fathered a child. The question is whether Max will always be unfaithful, or if he’s capable of truly changing.

Is Cindy planning to avenge her son Steven’s death by causing Max to fail? Could she be the one who finally brings him down?

7. Bea Pollard’s big secret

Adding to Max’s already busy year, actress Ronni Ancona will be joining the cast as a new character named Bea Pollard.

Linda Carter’s friend from school, Bea, is moving into the Square and renting a room at Peacock Palace. She quickly develops a crush on Max Branning, but he doesn’t feel the same way. However, Bea isn’t one to give up easily!

Wadey points out that Bea tends to quickly form close bonds with others. She reconnects with Linda, and soon Billy and Honey Mitchell also become part of the unfolding events. Ronni adds a special flavor to the storyline, blending humor and heartbreak – it’s a story that will likely make you both laugh and feel moved.

8. A number of baby mysteries in Albert Square

The pregnancy shown in the brief glimpse of the future is one of several babies expected to be born in Walford in 2026, marking a significant baby boom.

Max isn’t the only one expecting a baby! A new baby has also arrived for the Branning family, and everyone is wondering who the father of little Ethan is.

Okay, so I’m totally wondering if this new guy is actually Jack’s secret son. It would totally explain all the tension between Jack and his wife, Denise – they’ve been fighting a lot lately, and it makes sense if there’s a hidden family connection!

Nicola is pregnant with her partner George Knight’s baby. While they appeared happy together in a future scene, there was no sign of the baby. The show leaves us wondering if Nicola will carry the pregnancy to term or if something will go wrong.

9. George Knight’s new start – can he trust Nicola Mitchell?

George, who used to run the Queen Vic pub, is beginning a new chapter in his life. His family – the Peacocks and Knights – have been separated after his divorce from Elaine Peacock (played by Harriet Thorpe).

Okay, so things are really changing around here! Elaine, Linda, and Johnny Carter – you might know Johnny as Charlie Suff – are now running Peacock’s Palace, which is pretty fancy. And it’s wild to think Junior and Anna Knight – Micah Balfour and Molly Rainford, remember them? – have actually left the country! Even Gina Knight, Francesca Henry, has swapped the Palace for pulling pints down at Harry’s Barn. It’s a whole new vibe!

George is determined to help Nicola, the mother of his child, and is planning to purchase the Walford East restaurant. However, the previous owners, the Panesar family, struggled to make the restaurant a success. It remains to be seen if George can manage it better, and if his relationship with the often-troubled Nicola will last.

10. Will Eve and Suki Panesar-Unwin become parents?

A year ago, the Sookes were devastated after Nish Panesar tried to ruin their wedding with a cruel act.

As a big fan of the show, I was a little worried about Suki and Eve last year – they definitely faced some tough times! But honestly, it’s so good to see they’re still going strong. I’m really rooting for them as they’re seriously committed to adopting, and I’m hoping the new year brings them more happiness than heartache.

  • EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?
  • 21 EastEnders questions we have following that epic Max Branning flashforward episode
  • EastEnders fans spot major clue to ‘reveal’ mysterious man from flashforward episode
  • EastEnders star hints at villain’s return with social media post alongside new cast member
  • EastEnders boss teases “tragedy comedy” 2026 story with newcomer Bea – and it involves a beloved Walford couple
  • EastEnders confirms Ravi Gulati will face a revenge plot – along with a mental health story for Walford villain
  • EastEnders boss teases love triangle scenes for Vicki Fowler as disturbed Joel Marshall finally goes to trial in 2026

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2026-01-10 11:37