Walford is bracing for a storm — and its name is Max Branning.

After more than four years away from Albert Square, EastEnders legend Jake Wood is officially returning to reprise his role as the volatile, seductive, and infamously destructive Max Branning. And make no mistake — he’s not just coming back for tea and biscuits. Max’s return will tear open old wounds, expose long-buried secrets, and leave the residents of Walford scrambling for cover.

“I’m over the moon to be coming home,” Jake Wood said in a statement. But let’s be honest: “home” has never meant peace for Max — only trouble.

A Legacy of Lies, Lust and Betrayal

Since his first appearance in 2006, Max Branning has left behind a trail of broken hearts, shattered families, and unforgettable moments. Let’s not forget:

• His infamous affair with daughter-in-law Stacey Slater, revealed in one of the most explosive Christmas episodes of all time.

• His bitter feud with the Beales, which culminated in being framed for Lucy Beale’s murder — a crime that nearly destroyed him.

• His downward spiral after the collapse of his affair with Linda Carter in 2021, which forced him to leave Walford with nothing but regret and unfinished business.

Now, with Stacey widowed, daughter Lauren set to marry into the Beales, and a secret child with Linda still hiding in the shadows, Max’s return isn’t just dramatic — it’s DANGEROUS.

The Brannings Are Back — and the Square Will Never Be the Same

Executive Producer Ben Wadey has made it clear: Max’s comeback will put the Branning family front and center once again. And with Jack Branning still reeling from Max’s past meddling and teenage son Oscar causing new ripples in the Square, the Branning family drama is about to explode like never before.

“Max has a lot of unfinished business… but whether he is welcomed by his family remains to be seen.” – Ben Wadey

The Square has changed. Families have shifted. Loyalties have crumbled. But one thing is certain: Max Branning doesn’t return without a plan — and when he does, he plays to win, no matter who he destroys in the process.

Secrets That Could Blow Everything Apart…

The tension’s already sky-high — and that’s before Max finds out:

• That Linda’s been hiding his daughter all these years.

• That Lauren’s marrying into the very family he once tried to tear down.

• That Stacey, the woman who helped define his past, is now a widow, vulnerable, and very much within reach.

What will he do first? Reclaim his daughter? Reignite old flames? Or burn bridges one last time?

A Role That Changed EastEnders Forever

Jake Wood’s return is more than just a casting headline — it’s a return to the core chaos of EastEnders. No other character has straddled the line between anti-hero and full-blown villain like Max Branning. His charm is intoxicating, his schemes diabolical, and his emotional wreckage… legendary.

Fans still remember his slow unraveling after Abi’s death. His obsession with revenge. His moments of heartbreaking vulnerability. And now, with the Square quieter than it’s been in years, Max’s return is the chaos fans have been craving.

Don’t Miss a Moment

Max will make his first on-screen appearance later this autumn, with a full-time return scheduled before year’s end. It’s the start of a new chapter — and one that promises heartbreak, betrayal, and more twists than the London Underground.

–Will Max destroy what’s left of his family to get what he wants?

–Will Walford ever forgive him for the sins of the past?

–Or will Max Branning finally meet his match… in his own daughter?