BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 16 Mar 2026, 11:03 By Claire Crick 16 Mar 2026, 11:03 'Now that's a return!' Fans thrilled as legendary character makes unannounced comeback after 8 years away A Walford comeback that no one saw coming... Lauren Branning Max Branning Oscar Branning Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 16 Mar 2026, 11:03 By Claire Crick 16 Mar 2026, 11:03 WARNING: This article is full of spoilers for today’s episode of EastEnders, which is streaming on BBC iPlayer now, but has not yet aired on BBC One, and sees Cora Cross return. EastEnders fans are thrilled after watching today’s episode, which sees all our Walford favourites celebrating Mother’s Day. But as Lauren struggles to forget the horrendous attack that happened last week, Peter tries his best to cheer her up. But little does Lauren know, Peter has a surprise up his sleeve. Cora makes a shock comeback in today’s EastEnders (Credit: BBC) Lauren is struggling Still traumatised from what happened at the test drive with Mark Jr, Lauren isn’t quite herself. As she puts on a brave face for her family, she sees a customer at the car lot and heads over to see if she can make a sale before their family lunch. However, when the customer asks for a test drive, she refuses because of her past trauma and loses the sale. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Max sees the whole thing play out and is concerned about Lauren. The pair end up having a heart-to-heart, and as Max says all the right things for once, Lauren invites him for Mother’s Day lunch at Kathy’s. Max isn’t exactly welcomed with open arms by the rest of the family after what happened at Christmas when he punched Jack. But as Max promises to be on his best behaviour, he’s allowed to stay. Cora is thrilled to spend time with her great-grandchildren (Credit: BBC) Cora Cross returns to EastEnders Sadly for Max, he struggles to keep his promise when Peter’s surprise for Lauren turns out to be that her gran, Cora Cross, is coming for lunch!Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your EastEnders newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. Cora, played by British TV legend Ann Mitchell, has never been Max’s biggest fan, and although Lauren is thrilled to see her gran, the same can’t be said for Max. As Cora makes herself at home, Peter reveals he called Tanya and Cora and asked them over for Mother’s Day lunch. While Max couldn’t look more relieved that Tanya turned the invitation down, he isn’t happy that Cora is there. Soon, the pair start trading barbed remarks about Abi Junior, and then Ian is in the firing line when Cora mentions his chequered past with her other daughter, Rainie. Eventually, Ian asks Max to leave the lunch after he repeatedly clashes with Cora. But while everyone else seems happy around the table, Cora can see that her granddaughter is struggling. Later that evening, she confronts Lauren and tells her that she is stronger than she thinks, and that she can face anything if she puts her mind to it. With her gran’s words on her mind, Lauren heads over to see Mark and takes him up on an earlier offer to sell luxury cars through the car lot. Oscar and Cora share a brief scene (Credit: BBC) Who is Cora Cross in EastEnders? Matriarch Cora is Tanya and Rainie’s mother and appeared in EastEnders between 2011 and 2015. Since then, she has appeared on screen for short stints and was last seen in Walford in November 2018. During today’s brief return, she is also seen on screen with Oscar. The pair share a short but heartwarming scene in which she encourages her grandson to stop playing the field and settle down with someone. Could this be a hint towards the potential romance fans have predicted between Oscar and Jasmine’s brother, Josh? Fans want to see more Cora on their screens! (Credit: BBC) EastEnders fans couldn’t be happier to see Cora return Fans were beyond happy to see legendary Cora back in Walford… “Great to see Cora back, she was brilliant, and absolutely hilarious in this episode,” said one fan on Reddit. Another agreed: “Ahh Cora – now that’s a return! Slipping effortlessly back into the Brannings as if she’d never been away. Brilliant scenes with Lauren, as always. And with the kids. I especially loved her scene with Oscar.” Someone else pointed out that Cora’s return was kept well under wraps. “The first return in a while I’ve actually been surprised by!” “Lovely one-on-one scene with Cora and Lauren. So glad she briefly saw Oscar as well. Hopefully, this means Ann may come back for a few more appearances in the future,” agreed another viewer. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 16 Mar 2026, 11:03 By Claire Crick 16 Mar 2026, 11:03 Previous Story Next Story
