EastEnders fans predict shock return for iconic character – but they won’t be around for long
Viewers predict a former Walford favourite will die after their return to the Square this Christmas
EASTENDERS fans are convinced they’ve “worked out” a familiar face will be returning to Walford this Christmas – but they won’t be around long if they’re the one who’s murdered.
Soap fans have thrown Max Branning’s name in the mix, believing he’ll be back just in time to die on Christmas Day.
Max, played by Jake Wood, left the BBC soap in February 2021. At the time of his departure, Jake, 51, said “I’m grateful they have left the door open for Max and I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds,” and fans believe the door is swinging open this Christmas.
Viewers have been guessing about this year’s explosive Christmas storyline ever since the flash forward teaser aired back in February. One invested soap fan thinks they’ve worked out who will die in the Vic this year and took to Reddit to share their theory.
They think the return of and death of Max Branning, along with his brother Jack (Scott Maslen), who still lives on the Square, could be what EastEnders bosses have in the works.
The fan couldn’t help marvel at the symmetry of one or more Branning brothers dying this Christmas, following Derek’s (Jamie Foreman) death in 2012.
“This would mean all three Branning Brothers died on Christmas,” they said, before going on to explain their theory.
The fan suggested that Max could make a timely return in December after finding out his brother and former lover Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) have begun an illicit affair.
However, they suggested that Max could also be back in town for another underhanded reason. They said: “Jack being involved as the ‘saviour police man’ all the time creates the perfect contrast: Good Branning vs Devil Branning.”
This could also tie in with why Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) is returning at the end of the year for a “Branning centred storyline.”
As rumours about the possible upcoming demise of Max’s brother Jack have begun to circulate, it’s not completely outside the realm of possibility to expect Max back on screens, and the soap fan has given their theory of how it could happen some serious thought.
They continued: “It ties up loose ends with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) storylines concerning Annie. She can develop into the matriarch of the show without little details that can cause plot holes.”
The fan added: “It’s a woman that kills. Linda would kill for her kids. Maybe hitting Max upstairs, then he goes down, sees Jack with Stacey/Denise – starts fighting.
“It could be Stacey defending Jack by hitting Max or Denise hitting Max with a bottle to get off Jack. Both of them end up dead?”
Another fan agreed with the “awesome” theory, adding: “Devil Branning and Holy Branning is a really strong mental image.”
However, other fans weren’t convinced.
One said: “It maybe could work if it was the whole episode, but we already know Sharon and Keanu drama will take up a big chunk of Christmas Day.”
“If it was Max, they would’ve and should’ve brought him back by now. It would be cool, but bringing him back less than two weeks before Christmas isn’t good,” criticised another.
Countering, another fan chimed in: “EastEnders haven’t always naturally brought back a character two weeks before Christmas, so maybe he will come back on Christmas Day.”
All will be revealed in this year’s festive episodes, which kick off with an hour-long episode on Christmas Day.
