EastEnders fans are convinced they know what Max Branning’s return storyline will be and it could involve his former lover Stacey Slater
It’s the soap return every EastEnders enthusiast has been eagerly anticipating, and Max Branning’s dramatic entrance back to Walford certainly delivered the goods.
The beloved character, portrayed by Jake Wood, made a surprise appearance at the Queen Vic during his daughter Lauren Branning’s (Jacqueline Jossa) wedding celebration with new husband Peter Beale (Thomas Law) at the close of Tuesday’s (September 30) episode.
Max burst into the pub at precisely the right moment to snatch Lauren’s bouquet, boldly announcing: “Must be my lucky day!”
His unexpected arrival left everyone speechless, with former flame Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) clearly rattled whilst daughter Lauren remained frozen in disbelief.
Max Branning returned during Lauren and Peter’s wedding(Image: BBC)
Whilst Max’s comeback was confirmed earlier this year, the precise motivation behind his decision to return to Walford remains shrouded in mystery, reports OK!.
There’s speculation he may be pursuing ex-partner Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) following their explosive confrontation during their previous encounter, though two of his offspring, Lauren and Oscar (Pierre Moullier), currently reside on the Square despite revealing they’ve been estranged from their father for years.
Viewers have been frantically theorising about Max’s storyline, though many suspect his stay will be temporary before departing once more – potentially taking a particular Walford local with him.
“From the looks of next week’s spoilers it looks like Max is only back for this week which indicates he might leave the Square with Stacey on Thursday night and then come back on his own later in the year. Unless the Max spoilers for next week are embargoed #EastEnders,” one viewer posted on X.
Stacey has been wrestling with whether to jet off and join her brother Sean Slater in Brazil after he extended an invitation for her to help manage his new restaurant. Nevertheless, she’s been tormented by guilt over abandoning her family.
Stacey Slater is exiting EastEnders(Image: BBC)
Some viewers doubt Max would be eager to depart for Brazil alongside Stacey, particularly given his rocky history with her brother Sean, who previously romanced Max’s former wife Tanya Turner (Jo Joyner).
“Somehow I can’t see him actually leaving with Stacey if she’s actually going to Brazil to work with Sean as Sean always hated Max’s guts and Max is a stranger to Hope and Arthur,” one viewer commented.
Alternatively, might Max’s comeback actually spur Stacey to depart?
One viewer pondered: “Stacey’s final incentive for leaving will be Max’s return #eastenders.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and episodes are also released at 6am on BBC iPlayer
