EastEnders has confirmed details of Max Branning's explosive return to Albert Square, with tensions set to boil over as he comes face-to-face with several enemies. The Walford bad boy was last seen in 2021, leaving wounded after Linda Carter chose to reunite with husband Mick Carter following their passionate affair.
Since his departure, flashbacks have revealed that Max had a romance with Zoe Slater, who has also recently returned to Walford. Zoe kept the dalliance a secret from her family, but things will get messy when her cousin Stacey Slater learns the truth. Stacey, played by Lacey Turner, says: 'She never expected to see him back in Walford, and she knows full well that whenever he’s around, there’s trouble!'
Max's return occurs during an impromptu wedding between Peter Beale and Lauren Branning at The Vic. His arrival leaves Lauren reeling, and Cindy Beale is soon out for Max's blood over the death of her son Steven Beale, who died after a fire set by Max in 2017. A blazing argument with Lauren leads to her ordering him to leave Walford.
Meanwhile, Max's son Oscar tries to gain his father's attention after years of estrangement. With Stacey contemplating leaving for Brazil with her brother Sean, will Max make a play for his ex? Turner adds cryptically: 'It’s always interesting to watch them both together because there’s always something sizzling underneath.'
EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 29 September at 7.30pm on BBC One, or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
