EastEnders' Max Branning (Jake Wood) takes desperate action when his affair with Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy) comes dangerously close to being exposed this week. The pair hooked up following Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Ross Marshall's (Alex Walkinshaw) wedding celebrations, and while they swore it was a one-off, it turns out the lust-struck pair can't stay away from one another. There's just one big problem – Max's already suspicious fiancée, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who nearly catches the pair in the act in forthcoming scenes.
Max Defends Priya, Raising Cindy's Suspicions
Monday's episode sees Max step in to defend his lover when Cindy questions Priya's behaviour after witnessing a clash with her daughter Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James). He discloses to Cindy about Priya's recent break-up with Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), which, when Priya learns about, she angrily warns Max to stop talking about her business. 'In her mind, it crosses a line and starts to affect her real life. Their relationship is meant to be contained and emotionless,' explains Sophie Khan-Levy, who plays Priya. 'She believed she could keep everything separate, so Max crossing that line is alarming to her.'
Cindy Catches Them at The Arches
As the pair clash, Cindy only grows more and more suspicious about Max, and while he fobs her off by claiming he's planning a surprise, he goes to meet Priya at The Arches. While Max initially tries to end things, you can guess what happens next – but just as they are giving in to passion, Cindy unexpectedly arrives with Max's daughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). Panicked, Max bundles Priya into a car boot to hide her, not realising it is the very motor that Lauren is there to collect. So when she then drives away, she has no idea Priya is in there, and a whole saga unfolds.
Priya's Fury After Escaping
After Priya eventually escapes, Sophie says she is 'furious with Max for putting her in that position', and threatens to expose Max. 'Priya's wrath after being embarrassed is not something to be taken lightly,' the actress explains. 'The humiliation cuts deep, especially given what she was enjoying about the relationship. Max has shifted her from feeling in control to feeling humiliated. It's a very dangerous game for Max to be playing.'
EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 6th July at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
