EastEnders actress Sophie Levy has described her character Priya Nandra-Hart as 'toxic' and 'chaotic', issuing a stark warning about the 'dangerous' affair with Max Branning (Jake Wood). The storyline sees Priya pursuing Max despite his engagement to Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), driven by heartbreak over ex-boyfriend Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), who ended their relationship abruptly after a final sexual encounter.
Priya's Motivations and the Affair's Dynamics
According to Levy, Priya's affair with Max is a distraction from the pain of Ravi's rejection. 'In the wake of Ravi leaving her, she's looking for a base-level distraction, and Max provides that,' Levy explained. 'She doesn't want anything serious at all and her focus is still her family and she's reeling from everything that's happened.' The actress noted that Priya enjoys feeling in control, a stark contrast to her recent powerlessness with Ravi. 'She likes feeling like she has the power between the two of them; she often tells Max she's out of his league because she's trying to rebuild the self-worth she's lost over the past year.'
Levy highlighted the toxic push-and-pull between the characters: 'I think Max has finally met his match, and Priya enjoys that. She's heard all about his reputation and lothario past, but he's never met anyone like her; she sees him as small fry. Priya wants to be completely in control, but Max is also someone who likes control, so they're constantly tussling over each other for that.'
The 'Dangerous Game' and Potential Pregnancy
The affair takes a dangerous turn when Priya finds herself locked in a car boot after a close call with Lauren Branning. Levy described the moment: 'What isn't going through her mind?! She's trying to figure out how to get out of the situation, while also panicking about what happens if she's caught, and by who. She's also furious with Max for putting her in that position.'
Fans speculate that Priya may become pregnant, as Max is set to wake up with a pregnant woman in his bed by year's end. Levy warned of the consequences: 'Priya's wrath after being embarrassed is not something to be taken lightly. The humiliation cuts deep, especially given what she was enjoying about the relationship. Max has shifted her from feeling in control to feeling humiliated, which mirrors how she felt when Ravi briefly returned during Ross and Vicki's wedding, slept with her, and left again. It's a trigger for Priya and a very dangerous game for Max to be playing.'
Priya's Reaction to Max Defending Her
Levy also addressed Priya's anger when Max defends her to Cindy, calling it a violation of their unspoken rules. 'Because, in her mind, it crosses a line and starts to affect her real life. Their relationship is meant to be contained and emotionless, and she hates the idea of Max having an opinion on her parenting. She also wants to keep her children out of it as they've been through enough. She believed she could keep everything separate, so Max crossing that line is alarming to her.'
