EastEnders' Max Branning (Jake Wood) will propose to Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) next week, intensifying his campaign to make her forget Mick Carter (Danny Dyer). The proposal follows the unexpected return of Mick's former wife Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), which stirred up old emotions for Linda.
Max's Guilt and Proposal
Max, feeling guilty about lying to Linda over Mick being in the coffin, decides to propose and make her his fifth wife. His decision comes after a drama-filled day for the Carter family, during which Lee Carter's (Danny Hatchard) estranged partner Jess arrives with an ultimatum following the birth of their surrogate baby. This forces Lee's alcoholism into focus, and the emotional day leads Max to ask Linda to marry him. Despite her reservations, she accepts, setting herself up to be the mystery bride seen in flash-forward scenes to New Year's Day 2027.
Cindy's Revenge Plot
Linda and Max celebrate their engagement at Peacock Palace, but Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), Max's jealous ex-wife, crashes the party. Expecting a confrontation, Max is surprised when Cindy presents him with annulment paperwork, which he signs. Unbeknownst to him, Cindy had previously spoken with Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), who is angry with Max over his affair with Ravi's partner Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy), and is plotting her next move.
The soap's winter trailer teases that Cindy's revenge campaign escalates in the build-up to New Year's Day. Actress Kellie Bright is leaving the soap in early 2027, suggesting Max and Linda's happy ending is unlikely.
EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 16th November at 7.30pm on BBC One, or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
