Actor Jake Wood has confirmed Max Branning’s return date in EastEnders.
Max briefly reappeared on the BBC One soap in the fall, but will be back as a regular character starting in December.
On Friday’s episode of The One Show, Jake Wood announced that Max will be returning to Walford sometime in the future.
Max’s return episode will air on 16th December 2025.
This episode features the return of Max’s ex-girlfriend, Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright. She came back to Walford yesterday after being away on a round-the-world cruise since July.
Most viewers know that Linda and Max’s family is keeping a secret: Linda’s daughter, Annie Carter, is actually Max’s child.
Wood explained that Max will feel deeply betrayed by the other Brannings’ secrets.
Max left Walford under a cloud after disrupting his daughter Lauren’s wedding and having an old affair revealed. He also tried, unsuccessfully, to rekindle a relationship with his former daughter-in-law, Stacey, before she moved away. Now, everyone’s wondering what’s brought him back to Albert Square.
So, big news for fans of the show – Max is getting his own special episode! It’s a flashforward, meaning we’ll see what his life looks like in the future. The really cool thing is, they’re airing it on New Year’s Day 2026, but the episode itself is set on New Year’s Day 2027. It’s a bit of a timey-wimey thing, but I’m totally here for it!
Details about the upcoming episode are scarce, but it will mainly focus on Max and the Branning family. The episode will hint at future events, specifically what’s planned for 2026 and what comes after.
Wood announced on The One Show that filming for the latest episode has finished, and hinted at what viewers can expect.
“Max is in a lot of trouble in the lead-up,” teased Wood. “Those episodes are amazing.”
So, the scene shifts, and suddenly it’s New Year’s Day 2027 at The Vic – a whole year has flown by! We immediately see Max, and it’s clear he’s had a year. Lots of big stuff has happened to him, a ton of drama, and it feels like everything has changed.
“I think the audience is really going to love it. There’s gonna be so much speculation.
This approach creates a compelling narrative, gradually revealing more details and building towards the events we’ve already glimpsed over the next year.
He noted, “Honestly, it’s so jam-packed. Full of questions.”
Wood hinted the upcoming episode will be both fascinating and puzzling, and even the actors are eagerly trying to figure out what’s going to happen.
Just what trouble has Max got himself into this time?
Next week, Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) will be leaving Walford to travel. The following week, Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), known for causing trouble, will be returning.
However, aside from mischief, Sam has an emotive and important storyline for her return stint.
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2025-11-29 16:34