What happened between Max and Linda on EastEnders? Affair and love child explained

It's been five years since Max and Linda's affair
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

Max Branning and Linda Carter are reunited on EastEnders tonight (Wednesday, December 17), five years after their affair came to an end. Max’s return comes as a particularly unpleasant surprise to Linda, who’s still hiding the news that she gave birth to his daughter, little Annie.

And, as the former lovers catch up, she agrees to meet him for a drink at The Albert. A lot of time has passed since Max left Walford after Linda broke his heart – but what’s the full story?

Join us as we revisit Max and Linda’s affair.

Max and Linda sit on the sofa
Max was smitten with Linda (Credit: BBC)

What happened between Max and Linda in EastEnders?

In 2020, with her marriage to Mick on the rocks, Linda embarked upon an affair with Max. As their affair continued, Max and Linda even planned to leave Walford together – for a new life in New Zealand, where Lauren was living at the time.

However, Linda had second thoughts and, on New Year’s Day, revealed that she was still in love with Mick.

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Heartbroken, Max attempted to win Linda back, blackmailing Phil into giving up the Queen Vic so that he could gift it to Linda. Meanwhile, Jack revealed to Max that Mick was abused as a child – causing Max to believe that Linda was only with Mick out of pity.

After Max told Linda that he knew about Mick, she issued a complaint to the police, getting Jack suspended. Realising that there was nothing left for him in Walford, Max departed – leaving baby Abi in the care of Rainie and Stuart.

Lauren talks to Linda and Annie

Lauren met half-sister Annie in 2024 (Credit: BBC)

Who knows the truth about Annie?

In September 2021, baby Annie was born. Soon after, Jack discovered that she was the biological daughter of Max – but agreed to keep quiet after seeing how happy Mick and Linda were.

Years later, Lauren then learned that she had a half-sister when she returned to Walford in January 2024. Finding out the secret from Sonia, Lauren confronted Linda. She too agreed to keep the news from Max, after bonding with little Annie.

Earlier this year, Oscar became the third Branning to learn about Max’s love child. Although he insisted that his dad should know, he too agreed to keep schtum at Linda and Lauren’s behest.

But with Max’s full-time return now upon us, how long can Linda keep the truth about Annie buried?

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.