EastEnders fans divided over plans for 'gimmicky' Max Branning flashforward
Is the soap jumping the shark?
EastEnders revealed last night its plans for a special flashforward episode, focusing on Max Branning. Airing on New Year’s Day 2026, this half-hour special will follow Max as he attempts to deal with a situation which has huge consequences for himself and the Branning clan.
The fallout promises to lead into a year of storylines for 2026, in which all, Executive Producer Ben Wadey has teased, is not all as it seems.
This marks a very intriguing start to next year’s EastEnders… although not everyone is so enthused.
Has EastEnders jumped the shark by a whole year?
EastEnders fans decry ‘gimmicky’ Max Branning flashforward
Reacting to the news as it dropped last night (Wednesday, November 19), fans share their thoughts on plans for Max’s flashback. And not everyone was convinced.
“I don’t like this, it sound gimmicky. it also would easily fall apart by issues out of anyone’s control,” wrote one fan on Reddit.
“Why do I fear this will be quite abysmal….” said another.
“Not a fan of this kind of gimmick. Feel like it then locks in too many things, with storylines having to progress a certain way, no wiggle room for actors circumstances changing if they were featured in the flashforward etc,” a third agreed.
However, others were a bit more hopeful, with another writing: “I loveee these type of storylines. They did it with the Six, and similarly in Hollyoaks!”
“At least it’s something different. Hope it’s done well,” commented another viewer.
Where do you stand on Max’s flashforward episode?
What to expect as soap announces special episode
This isn’t the first time EastEnders has shared a glimpse into its own future. In February 2023, the soap unveiled ‘The Six’ for the first time – revealing that someone would be killed on Christmas Day.
That person turned out to be Nish Panesar, who wasn’t actually dead after all. However, in a shock twist, the six women then killed Keanu Taylor instead.
With The Six now wrapped up, the soap will now devote a full episode to its next flashforward. Set on New Year’s Day 2027, it will follow Max as he navigates his latest hot mess.
What’s he done this time?
