EastEnders fans are convinced that Max Branning will be murdered in a new whodunit twist, following a series of betrayals that have made him enemies across Walford.
Max's recent betrayals
In recent episodes, Max (Jake Wood) has continued to alienate fellow residents, including Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), whom he dumped on their wedding day after his affair with Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) was exposed. He is unaware that Priya is pregnant with his baby.
Max has since moved on with former lover Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and is determined to replace her husband, Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), who is presumed dead after being lost at sea on Christmas Day 2022. Linda and Mick's son, Lee (Danny Hatchard), refuses to believe his mum and Max are a couple, while Nancy (Maddy Hill) is coming around to the idea.
Deadly twists
In another deadly twist, Max was the last person to see Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) alive after she bumped her head and later died from the trauma. Zoe had begged Max for help, but he refused, thinking she was drunk. Now Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) is determined to find the person who "left her daughter to die", warning she "wants their blood".
Elsewhere, Max played a major role in the disappearance of his niece, Amy Branning (Ellie Dadd), after agreeing to release her £100k inheritance early if she loaned him half of it to pay off debts. Amy was being groomed by dodgy copper Craig Ingram (Matthew James-Bailey), and they planned to run away together while her dad Jack (Scott Maslen) and former step-dad Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) searched for her.
Fans predict murder
In a harrowing showdown, Craig attempted to attack Amy and forced himself on her before she locked herself in the bathroom. She then grabbed a candle holder that she used to hit Craig over the head. She later stood over his lifeless body before returning home, without a mention of Craig's fate.
As Max continues to antagonise the Square, including his own family, EastEnders fans are certain he will be killed off in a major whodunit. The legend, who arrived 20 years ago, is set for a dramatic New Year's Day centered upon his antics, as fans were treated to a flash-forward episode at the beginning of the year.
Turning to Reddit, one fan wrote: "All the signs that EastEnders is killing off Max Branning". A second added: "You're right he's getting killed off, but he shouldn't be killed off", while a third chimed in: "I don't want him to die." A third chimed in: "I suspect you're right and it will be a murder mystery. I hope not though, I don't want Max to die." "Yes, I also think you are correct, but I kind of always had a soft spot for Max and don't want him to be killed off," added another.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer.
