EastEnders legend set to return to Walford nearly 20 years after first appearance on soap
As EastEnders celebrates its 40th anniversary, fans are hoping for more familiar faces to return to the Square
Former EastEnders actor Jake Wood is rumoured to be reprising his role as Max Branning, as the BBC soap approaches its landmark anniversary.
As the show gears up to celebrate 40 years on air in February 2025, a host of familiar faces have already made their return to Walford. In September, Chrissie Watts (played by Tracy-Ann Oberman) made a dramatic comeback after being released from prison for the murder of Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham).
Michael French also returned for a week-long stint as David Wicks, offering support to his troubled daughter Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) before making another exit.
Meanwhile Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) has found her way back to the Square and reignited her relationship with Martin Fowler (James Bye), while Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) made a surprise appearance at Christmas after a 26-year absence.
EastEnders fans would love to see Max Branning return to Walford(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Ross Kemp’s character Grant Mitchell has been confirmed for a much-anticipated return in the near future, as his brother Phil (Steve McFadden) grapples with his deteriorating mental health. Other characters such as Joe Wicks (Paul Nicholls), Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), and Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) have also made brief appearances, but could there be another familiar face on the horizon?
The special anniversary episode will be broadcast live next month, promising plenty of unexpected twists and potential actor slip-ups, reports Plymouth Live. Speculation is rife about which storylines will unfold, including whether Max Branning will make a return to Albert Square.
Fans of the beloved soap EastEnders have been buzzing with excitement over Jake Wood, who famously played Max Branning for a spectacular stint from 2006 to 2021. His character, embroiled in nail-biting plots including his infamous affair with Stacey Slater (portrayed by Lacey Turner), left viewers glued to their screens.
Jake Wood and Scott Maslen played EastEnders brothers Max and Jack Branning(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Jake graced Albert Square for an incredible 15 years before he bid adieu in his last gut-wrenching episode in December 2020. Max Branning’s exit was a drama-filled move to Croatia after concluding there was nothing left for him in Walford.
However, plot twists keep coming as his daughter Lauren Branning (played by Jacqueline Jossa) made a comeback and is currently navigating a pregnancy while tangled in the ‘who attacked Cindy Beale’ storyline. Max is also father to little Annie Carter, his child with Linda (starred by Kellie Bright), though he hasn’t had the chance to meet the tot yet.
Amidst this tangled web of storylines, Jake was recently seen catching up with his on-screen brother, Jack Branning, brought to life by Scott Maslen. They were caught in a snapshot showing off their bromance during a cheeky outing, which Scott then proudly uploaded to Instagram with the endearing caption: “He ain’t heavy he’s my brother!”
This nostalgic rendezvous has fans wagging their tongues about the possibility of Jake making a grand comeback for the show’s much-anticipated anniversary bash.
Jake Wood is tipped to make an EastEnders return for the show’s 40th anniversary(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Devoted viewers didn’t waste a second flooding the comment section on catching the photo online, with one gushing: “Lovely photo! Been saying Jake has to come back to EastEnders for the anniversary surely?!”, while another queried: “When is @mrjakewood coming back to the square?”
The betting site Gambling.com is fuelling the fires of speculation, tipping Jake as the hot favourite for a triumphant return to EastEnders at odds sitting pretty at 1/2, especially hot on the heels of his meet-up with Scott.
Mimi Keene, who played Cindy JR, is the second favourite to make a comeback with odds of 8/15. This follows a dramatic Christmas storyline where Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was assaulted, with her attacker’s identity set to be revealed during the show’s anniversary week.
