EastEnders has confirmed that Max Branning and Cindy Beale will finally come face to face in the final days of 2025, as a dramatic meeting takes place at a Christening that brings both of their families together.

Cindy has never met Max but has been gunning for him since learning he was responsible for her son Steven’s death while she was in witness protection, so it’s been in everyone’s interests to keep the pair apart.

On Christmas Day, Ian and Peter managed to stop them meeting for the first time. But as the Beales and Brannings put on a brave face to celebrate Jimmy’s Christening in the days after, Lauren and Peter hope that their paths don’t cross.

They agree to uninvite Max to their boy’s baptism, due to his behaviour at Christmas and to save drama at the church. However, Lauren has a change of heart when her dad buys Jimmy a thoughtful gift.

Cindy is furious when she hears Max is coming and refuses to show her face – but when Jack later drops a bombshell, more Branning barneys ensue and Max ends up being uninvited again.

Max ignores pleas to stay away though, so he rocks up at the church, and it isn’t long before things kick off with Cindy!

Back in Walford, Max shuts down Oscar’s attempts to help and hits the bottle in Harry’s Barn. When Max upsets yet another Square resident, Nicola tells him off and he’s rallied into making amends for his actions.

On New Year’s Eve, Max gets Oscar to set up a secret meeting with Lauren, but Lauren is furious for getting her little brother involved in his underhand tactics. Having lost everything, Max makes a last-ditch attempt to appeal to his loved ones in Harry’s Barn and vows to fight for his family.

But as Walford rings in 2026, EastEnders will leap forward 12 months into the future, with Max and his family embroiled in some huge drama on New Year’s Day 2027.

The special flashforward episode will provide some intriguing clues about Max’s future, but what is he involved in and what will be revealed over the next year?