Jake Wood Set for Explosive Return as Max Branning on EastEnders in 2025

Jake Wood’s Long-Awaited Comeback on EastEnders

Four years is a long stretch in soap land, and fans have felt it. The moment Max Branning drove away from Walford in 2021, the story felt unfinished. That cliffhanger is finally getting resolved: Jake Wood is sliding back behind the wheel as Max Branning on EastEnders, with a brief return in autumn 2025, ahead of a full comeback by the end of the year.

The man behind the mayhem confirmed his return, revealing it wasn’t a quick decision. Wood said things started moving after a January sitdown with EastEnders’ new executive producer, Ben Wadey. Those talks were all about Max’s loose ends—and let’s be real, he has a lot. The creative team pitched a raft of new storylines that would throw Max right back into the tangled web of Walford relationships, including many left over from his previous run.

New Drama and Old Secrets Collide

For viewers, Max’s legacy is pure chaos—dodgy deals, forbidden romances, and family rifts that still haven’t healed. Wood made it clear he’s excited to dig into that mess. “I’m over the moon to be coming home… Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I’m sure he’ll be busy,” he teased. And busy is an understatement.

• Linda Carter: Max still doesn’t know he fathered baby Annie with Linda, who’s kept the secret close for years. Expect fireworks when he finds out. Linda’s life has moved on, but Max’s arrival could upend everything for her.
• Stacey Slater: Max’s old flame, now a widow, has a history with him that’s packed with complications—and emotional baggage. With Stacey’s tendency to get pulled into drama, Max’s return nudges her world off balance yet again.
• Lauren Branning: Max’s daughter isn’t just juggling her own future. She’s getting ready to marry Peter Beale. A wedding in Walford is never simple, and Max’s appearance is practically a guarantee the celebrations will come with their share of drama and secrets unspooling.
• Oscar Branning: Oscar is back on the Square, and this father-son reunion won’t be a quiet one. Their strained dynamic is sure to get tested and put family loyalty in the spotlight.
• Jack Branning: Max’s brother has been holding down the fort, but big brother’s chaotic return could upset his carefully built life.

Executive producer Ben Wadey has apparently mapped out a potent mix of fresh and familiar conflict, ensuring Max’s return fits right into Walford’s current landscape while giving longtime fans the payoffs they’ve been craving. Even cast members are bracing for the storms Max is likely to bring as old wounds get opened and new vendettas are born.

The timing isn’t accidental, either. Lauren’s upcoming wedding to Peter Beale and Oscar’s return to town are pivotal moments, and those events will give Max ample opportunity to insert himself right in the middle of the action. As always, when Max Branning is around, secrets won’t stay buried for long. The stage is set for a turbulent year on EastEnders—and fans wouldn’t have it any other way.