In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Albert Square, EastEnders legend Max Branning, played by Jake Wood, has staged a major return. His comeback coincides with a terrifying house fire that left his son, Oscar Branning, hospitalised after a heroic rescue.
A Fiery Crisis and a Father's Return
The chaos erupted when Zoe Slater, played by Michelle Ryan, found herself trapped in a locked bedroom with a burning teddy bear. As smoke filled the room, her cries for help were heard by Oscar, who bravely smashed his way into the house to save her. The incident, which occurred on December 16, 2025, left Oscar injured and in need of hospital treatment.
It was at this critical moment that Max Branning reappeared, arriving just in time to claim another iconic 'duff duff' cliffhanger and check on his son. This marks Max's first return since he strolled into the Queen Vic for daughter Lauren's surprise wedding.
Twisted Secrets and a Family Feud
The fire drama is interwoven with a complex web of secrets centred on Oscar's enigmatic girlfriend, Jasmine. Her relationship with Oscar has been intense but strained by her refusal to open up about her past. The situation escalated when Ian Beale, freshly back after being accused of pushing Cindy down stairs, called the police, convinced Jasmine is part of the feared Ford crime family.
At the police station, a stunning revelation unfolded. Jasmine confessed to being the female twin Zoe Slater long believed was stillborn. This bombshell dropped as Anthony Trueman discovered he is the father of Zoe's twins.
Despite Oscar's attempts to mend fences between Jasmine and the combined Beale and Branning families – including Lauren, Ian, Kathy, and Peter – the meeting was a disaster. Their hostility, coupled with Jasmine's secretive nature, led a heartbroken Oscar to end their relationship just before the fire broke out.
Full-Time Chaos and Future Drama
Unlike his previous brief visits, actor Jake Wood has confirmed that Max Branning is back in Walford full-time. His return promises significant upheaval as he reunites with a largely estranged family and faces old flames, including Linda Carter, whose daughter Annie is secretly his child.
"A lot has happened since we last saw Max, but also since he permanently lived in Walford, so there’s a mountain of secrets waiting to be exposed, and a whole lot of drama," Wood teased. With enemies likely to be made at every turn, the question is not if Max will be thrown into drama, but which crisis will engulf him first.
The aftermath of the fire sees a terrified Jasmine clinging to a damaged Oscar at the hospital, defiantly squaring up to Jack Branning when he tries to send her away. As Max steps in to deal with the situation, the stage is set for explosive confrontations and long-buried truths to come to light in the heart of London's East End.
