BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 BBC iPlayer early release reveals Max and Zoe connection... and who's out for her blood Zoe's secrets keep coming Max Branning Zoe Slater Share By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 WARNING: This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer now, but has not yet aired on BBC One – in which Max Branning and Zoe Slater’s connection is revealed. EastEnders has revealed the connection shared between Max and Zoe following last night’s shocking cliffhanger. This came as Jake Wood’s Max made his soap comeback, calling Zoe as she fought for her life in a hospital operating room. Max hung up before Kat could learn who was on the other end of the line – leaving viewers hanging as to the nature of his connection with Zoe. How do Max and Zoe know each other? And is he friend, foe, or something else? Max called Zoe in EastEnders last night (Credit: BBC) BBC iPlayer early release confirms how Max knows Zoe With Zoe still fighting for her life, today’s episode shared another set of flashbacks to Zoe’s past. Zoe and Max first met earlier this year, the soap revealed, at a swanky-looking bar somewhere in London. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Overhearing Zoe’s name as her card was declined, Max sidled up and enquired whether she was related to the Stacey Slater. And, as they hit it off, their flirting progressed to the next level… the bedroom, to be precise. Swapping notes on their lives, Zoe revealed how she’d given birth to twins in 2006, but lost both – one to a stillbirth, the other, she’d abandoned in the hospital. She was now trying to find the son she had adopted, and had hired a Private Investigator to help. Zoe’s fleeing a mystery figure from her past (Credit: BBC) Who has it in for Zoe? The episode also revealed who the sinister figure is that Zoe is so afraid of. After giving her Private Investigator £5000 (thanks Max), he turned nasty, and attempted to sexually assault her. She hit back, smashing a lamp over his head and leaving him for dead. Outside, Max lambasted her for her actions, and drove off as she threw his gift of a fancy necklace back in his face. Once again alone, she called Stacey for help. And this is where and how Alfie found her, weeks later. As the episode ended, Zoe regained consciousness following her operation. Taking a moment alone, she called Max, warning him to stay away from her and Walford. Max, however, won’t be so easily dissuaded… Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025
