EastEnders fans believe they have solved the mystery of baby Ethan's parentage, following a dramatic flashforward episode set in 2027 on the BBC soap. The infant was seen being cared for by Jack Branning, but viewers are convinced the child belongs to two other Walford residents.
Jack Branning's Custody Sparks Paternity Theories
The episode, which aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, showed a troubled Jack drinking heavily after his wife Denise Fox left. His niece, Lauren Branning, found him and urged him to pull himself together for the sake of "little Ethan." While Jack's guardianship initially pointed to him being the father, fans quickly dismissed the obvious conclusion.
Instead, speculation has turned to Jack's own children. The most prominent theory suggests the baby could belong to his daughter, Amy Mitchell, potentially with her boyfriend Denzel Danes as the father. This speculation was fuelled by Amy's absence from the flashforward scene.
Penny Branning and Vinny Panesar Enter the Frame
Another compelling theory involves Jack's other daughter, Penny Branning. With recent spoilers hinting at a potential romance between Penny and Vinny Panesar, fans speculate the pair could be Ethan's parents. Jack's son, Ricky Branning, is considered a less likely candidate, as he already has a young child and is very young himself.
Fans took to social media platform X to share their thoughts. One viewer posted: "Who is Ethan? That better not be Amy’s baby." Another asked directly: "Is baby Ethan Amy & Denzel's?!????" while a third simply queried: "Who's baby's that? Amy's?"
A Second Mystery: The Pregnant Woman in Max's Bed
The baby Ethan enigma is not the only puzzle from the flashforward. The episode also showed Max Branning waking up in 2027 next to an unidentified, pregnant woman. The camera panned to a baby scan and pregnancy supplements, hiding the woman's identity.
Following a recent scene where Chelsea Fox admitted finding Max attractive, many fans are now convinced she is the mystery mother-to-be in his bed. This theory suggests the comment was a deliberate clue to future storylines.
With so many questions unanswered, viewers will have to wait to see what events lead to these dramatic 2027 scenarios. EastEnders continues to air Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
