BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Kerry Barrett Sep 7 2025 By Kerry Barrett Sep 7 2025 EastEnders boss teases what's happening this Autumn - from Max homecoming to the end of Joel's story Zoe's got a lot more secrets to be discovered, and Max is back for good! Joel Marshall Max Branning Zoe Slater Share By Kerry Barrett Sep 7 2025 By Kerry Barrett Sep 7 2025 Zoe Slater is back in Walford. Max is coming home. Jack’s formed an alliance with arch-nemesis Ravi and Joel’s out of control! Events in EastEnders are already ramping up as autumn creeps in, and we are loving it. So we were thrilled to get the chance to quiz Ben Wadey – EastEnders’ new executive producer – about all the drama coming up in Albert Square. Here’s everything we found out about autumn in EastEnders! Zoe is back in Walford (Credit: BBC) Autumn in EastEnders: Zoe’s return! Of course the biggest story is that Zoe is back! She’s arrived with a bang – literally – as she’s been shot and is now in hospital. With Zoe’s life having been in danger things looked better between her and Kat, but Ben warns we shouldn’t think it’s going to be plain-sailing from here. “Zoe and Kat’s relationship is complicated,” he says. “There’s 20 years there for them to try and recover as they get to know each other. I think Kat’s been expecting one thing from Zoe coming back but actually meeting your adult daughter is more complicated than perhaps Kat thinks.” Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers So what is Kat going to find out. She knows that Zoe’s had a baby who died, but she doesn’t yet know about the son she had who survived. Then, of course there’s the whole Max Branning thing. Just how well that’ll go down in the Slater family is anyone’s guess (well, we can actually guess – not well!). And according to Ben, there are even more secrets to come. “Zoe has a lot of secrets that she’s going to bring into the Square with her,” he teases. “So the Slaters are in for a whole ride this autumn!” We actually can’t wait. Max is coming home! (Credit: BBC/Composite: EI) Max Branning’s back! Then there’s Max himself! Max Branning is back and he’s on his way to Walford with the news that he’s been having a romance with Zoe. It’s going to be very exciting! Jake Wood, who plays Max, is almost as excited as we are about his alter-ego’s return. So what’s in store? “There’s just so much!” he says. “Obviously, he’s got a son – Oscar – that he hasn’t seen for a few years, he hasn’t seen Lauren. Then there’s Annie that he doesn’t know about. Stacey might be there, might not be. There’s the relationship with Zoe…” Sounds like Max is going to be very busy when he returns. And let’s not forget he’s got a lot of enemies on the Square, too. “Cindy, I think, blames Max for the death of her son, Steven,” Jake reminds us. Plus there’s Phil and Sharon, who were responsible for Max going to jail for killing Lucy Beale. “Just add to the list,” laughs Jake. “You’ve got a lot of characters there who have got a lot of unfinished business with Max. It’s just so rich. It’s very exciting.” Joel’s got on the wrong side of just about everyone (Credit: BBC) Autumn in EastEnders: Joel’s bad behaviour Joel has only been in Walford for a few months, but he’s really made his mark – and not in a good way! So far, he’s made enemies of the Slater women – never a good idea. He’s got on the wrong side of Ravi and Priya – also not the best plan. And he’s also upset step-mum Vicki and annoyed Amy Mitchell. Meanwhile, Tommy Moon thinks Joel is the absolute bee’s knees and Joel’s dad, Ross, is proving he’s totally out of his depth. It’s all building up to an explosive conclusion, according to Ben. “In the next couple of months the Joel story is really going to come to a head,” he reveals. Some fans think Stacey could take on the teenage tearaway, leading her to be sent to prison – again – as actress Lacey Turner takes a break from the show. Or will Vicki be the one to take on her sleazy step-son? After all, she’s a Fowler! Whatever happens, we know it’s going to be good! Lauren and Peter are trying to make another go of things (Credit: BBC) Autumn in EastEnders: Lauren and Peter’s wedding plans Meanwhile, across the Square, Lauren and Peter are putting the dramas of the past year behind them and moving on to wedding plans. But according to Jacqueline Jossa, who plays Lauren, it’s probably best we don’t get too excited about what’s happening there. “You can expect wedding bells,” she tells us. “But it’s a Walford wedding. So maybe don’t fork out on a hat!” Intriguing. Plus they’re dealing with Oscar who’s not the easiest houseguest! “There’s plenty of drama to unfold there,” agrees Ben. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling autumn in Albert Square! Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Kerry Barrett Sep 7 2025 By Kerry Barrett Sep 7 2025
