Max Branning will return to EastEnders in a special flashforward episode of the soap, the BBC has revealed. The episode, which is set to air on New Year’s Day in 2026, will follow Max as he attempts to navigate a precarious situation which has wide-reaching consequences for himself and the Branning clan.
Max’s latest return comes after his eagerly-awaited comeback this year. In two brief stints in September, Max was revealed to be in a romantic relationship with Zoe Slater, having helped her in the search for her missing son.
Arriving in Walford for Lauren and Peter’s wedding, he then reunited with old flame Stacey Slater. Horrified to realise he’d been seeing her cousin, Stacey packed up and left for a new life in Brazil.
But what does the future hold for Max Branning? All will be revealed in a very special episode focused on the man himself…
Max is once again at the heart of the drama (Credit: BBC)
Max Branning to star in EastEnders flashback episode
Revealing plans for the soap’s flashback episode, Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “For the first time in the show’s history, we’re going to be offering our viewers an entire flashforward episode set on New Year’s Day 2027.
“2026 is going to be full of drama in Walford, especially for the Brannings, and the episode is sure to raise plenty of questions on how Max has got himself, and his family, into such predicaments.”
Ben teased: “But all is not what it seems, so stay tuned for 2026 to find out how and why.”
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
