It’s been a long time coming – but Max Branning is finally returning to Albert Square!
It’s been verified that actor Jake Wood will return to his iconic character, the notorious ladies’ man of Walford, in EastEnders towards the end of the current year.
Max’s presence in Walford is certain to bring a whirlwind of issues for its residents, reinstating the Brannings at the center of the community and thus reigniting the local dramas.
Since Max departed from Walford in 2021, there’s a lot he’s been missing out on. His daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) is set to marry into the Beale family, his son Oscar (Pierre Moullier) has returned to Walford, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) is now a widow, and a secret daughter with ex-lover Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) remains undiscovered. In other words, Max has quite a few loose ends to tie up in Walford.
Max is coming back briefly this fall, and his full-time comeback is planned for later in the year.
As a die-hard EastEnders fan, I can’t contain my excitement to step back into the iconic Walford square! It feels like returning home, and boy does Max Branning have a lot on his plate with all that unfinished business lurking around every corner. Buckle up, it’s going to be one heck of a ride!
I’m looking forward to finding out about his recent activities and future developments with his character. Given his past 15 years in Square were quite tumultuous, I have no doubt there will be lots of excitement ahead!

Under the new management of executive producer Ben Wadey, this is among the various changes we see. Notably, Karen Henthorn is back to play Nigel’s spouse Julie, while Michelle Ryan takes on the role of Zoe Slater.
On Max’s arrival, Wadey expressed, “It’s truly a pleasure to have Jake Wood, an incredibly gifted actor, resuming his character as Max Branning once more.
Although he’s been absent from Albert Square for just four years, the town of Walford and the lives of its residents have undergone significant transformations during his absence.
Max returns after a while, leaving much unresolved in his wake. It’s uncertain if his family will accept him again. Given Max’s past filled with ups and downs, it’s likely that many residents of Walford won’t be thrilled to see him, potentially stirring more tension in the neighborhood and ensuring another year of exciting events for the Brannings.
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2025-07-11 12:37