EastEnders fans are fearing for Jean Slater's safety after a disturbing scene in tonight's episode. A conversation between Priya Nandra-Hart and Max Branning has sparked predictions that Jean is the woman Max attempts to have murdered in the New Year flashforward.
In the episode, Priya (Sophie Levy) told Max (Jake Wood) that Jean (Gillian Wright) had discovered their affair. While Max was concerned, knowing Jean disliked him, he nonchalantly suggested Priya blame Jean's medication and claim she was hallucinating.
Fans alarmed by Max's callousness
Priya was taken aback by Max's words, especially as she and Jean had been growing closer in recent episodes. Viewers were equally shocked, but this isn't the first time Max has been so dismissive of Jean.
Earlier in the week, he made Jean the punchline of a joke when fiancée Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) asked if there was anyone in Walford he hadn't slept with. Max quipped: "I don't think Jean has had the pleasure."
One fan noted that Jean's distrust of Max was justified, as he often targets vulnerable women. Another suggested this could put Jean in danger.
"Totally agree that Jean has got Max down to a T, but is anyone else a bit worried for her?" they asked. "That thing Max said in today's episode about basically gaslighting Jean into thinking she'd taken too many of her meds and didn't see Priya in his flat showed a complete lack of humanity from him."
"He's so blase about what is pretty much psychological abuse and also used her as the butt of a joke with Cindy (I'm thinking about the whole 'Jean's not had the pleasure thing'). He doesn't really see her as a person so with all these flashforward clues coming out, I am a bit worried about where this is leading for Jean."
Jean's obsessive past could be key
Referencing Jean's history of becoming fixated on those she believes wronged her, such as Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), the fan added: "Basically, I'm starting to wonder if she's who Max tries to have killed.
"We know she can be a bit obsessive (see Zoe and Jasmine) so if she becomes close to Priya and starts threatening to expose Max later on, what will he do?"
Another viewer agreed: "I was worrying for Jean not only cos he's mentioned her twice in a week but it was the suggestion of blaming her meds. Past Max wouldn't think twice about putting people in danger or setting people up so I wonder if Jean needs to watch out here."
Max's dark history
Max is set to be arrested for soliciting murder on New Year's Day, as shown in the flashforward aired on 1 January 2026. He has previously been involved in the deaths of three people and attempted to kill three more.
In 2012, he, his brother Jack (Scott Maslen), Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and nephew Joey (David Witts) allowed Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) to die after a heart attack without seeking help. In 2017, he accidentally killed Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) by pushing him onto a counter corner. That same year, he indirectly caused daughter Abi's (Lorna Fitzgerald) death when she fell from the Queen Vic roof while trying to stop him jumping.
He tried to kill Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) twice, once by proxy and once directly. He also attempted to strangle Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) with Christmas lights and intended to kill Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) but was stopped by Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
