Christmas Comes Early to Walford

EastEnders fans are buzzing with excitement. First, Zoe Slater made a dramatic return. Now, viewers have been treated to another familiar face — Max Branning is back in Albert Square. His comeback, however, has already sparked heated debate among longtime viewers.

Many fans were thrilled to see Jake Wood reprise the role of Max. Yet sharp-eyed viewers quickly noticed a detail that feels all too familiar: Max hasn’t changed. His return is not about family, redemption, or fatherhood. It’s about another woman.

Zoe Slater and Max’s Past Resurfaces

Max’s re-entry into Walford came in dramatic fashion. After Zoe Slater was shot, Kat answered her phone and found herself speaking to a worried Max. That shocking reveal set the stage for a deep dive into Max and Zoe’s romantic past.

This connection is what pulls Max back into the Square. But for fans, it feels like déjà vu. Instead of returning to support his struggling children, he is once again chasing romance — and this time, with a Slater woman at the center of it all.

Fans Call Out Max’s Cruel Priorities

On social media, viewers wasted no time pointing out the glaring problem. One fan wrote: “Max Branning hasn’t changed one bit. He wasn’t coming back to help his troublesome kids — he’s really come back for gyal.”

Another pointed out that Max ignored his daughter Lauren during her battles with addiction, her pregnancy, and the heartbreaking revelation that her baby was blind. He also missed his son Oscar’s struggles after leaving young offenders. But when Zoe Slater needs him, Max rushes back “like a flash.”

This pattern feels painfully consistent. Over the years, Max has prioritized his love life over his children, and his latest return proves that old habits die hard.

A Troubled History of Betrayals

Max first arrived in Walford in 2006, and it didn’t take long for his flaws to become clear. His affair with Stacey Slater — his son Bradley’s fiancée — remains one of the soap’s most infamous storylines. That betrayal tore his family apart, destroyed his marriage to Tanya, and fractured his bond with Bradley and Lauren.

Even after Stacey, Max continued to spiral. He slept with Lauren’s best friend Lucy while Lauren battled alcoholism, showing once again that women came before his children. His destructive choices even contributed to Abi’s tragic death, after she fell from the roof of The Vic during a heated moment with her father.

Jake Wood Teases More Chaos Ahead

Actor Jake Wood is thrilled to step back into Max’s shoes. In a recent interview, he admitted: “Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I’m sure he’ll be busy. If his last 15 years in the Square are anything to go by, I’m sure there will be plenty of chaos.”

Chaos already defines Max’s story, and fans are expecting his return to stir up even more trouble. With Zoe in the picture, Jack caught in the fallout, and the Branning family still fractured, Max’s comeback is set to ignite fresh drama.

Fans React to the “Walking Midlife Crisis”

Despite their frustration, many viewers admitted they couldn’t resist Max’s return. One fan summed him up perfectly: “Max Branning is back. Liar, conman, worst father, best womaniser, biggest manipulator, gaslighter, dodgy insurance salesman, loveable rogue, cowardly all-rounder, walking midlife crisis.”