BBC Share By Joel Harley Nov 20 2025 By Joel Harley Nov 20 2025 EastEnders fans divided over plans for 'gimmicky' Max Branning flashforward Is the soap jumping the shark? Jake Wood Max Branning Share By Joel Harley Nov 20 2025 By Joel Harley Nov 20 2025 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? Max will feature in a unique new episode of the soap (Credit: BBC) 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. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers “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? The Six featured in EastEnders’ first flashforward (Credit: BBC) 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? 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 Nov 20 2025 By Joel Harley Nov 20 2025 Next Story
