BBC Share By Joel Harley Nov 19 2025 By Joel Harley Nov 19 2025 EastEnders to air special Max Branning flashforward episode on New Year's Day Max's next return has far-reaching consequences EastEnders Christmas Jake Wood Max Branning Share By Joel Harley Nov 19 2025 By Joel Harley Nov 19 2025 EastEnders has announced plans to air a special flashforward episode, dedicated to Max Branning. Airing on New Year’s Day 2026, it will follow Max as he faces a shocking situation which has consequences for both himself and his entire family. Max returned to the soap earlier this year (twice), causing all manner of carnage both times. On the first occasion, it was revealed that he’d entered a romantic relationship with Zoe Slater, and had been funding the search for her long-lost son. Upon his return to Walford in late September, Max then crashed Peter and Lauren’s wedding party. It was no happy family reunion though – briefly reuniting with Stacey just long enough for her to decide she’d had enough of Walford, fleeing for a new life abroad. With Max set to return on a permanent basis, 2026 promises to be a big year for the Brannings. But what fresh pickle has Max Branning found himself in now? There’s never a dull moment where Max is concerned (Credit: BBC) EastEnders to air Max Branning flashforward on New Year’s Day In what promises to be an eventful Christmas period for the soap, Max’s episode will air soon after former residents Pat and Barry Evans return for a special episode in Nigel Bates’ honour. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers And now, for the first time in the show’s history, EastEnders will air an entire episode set in the future – offering a tantalising glimpse at what viewers can expect from Walford in 2026. Set on New Year’s Day in 2027, this 30-minute long episode will follow Max Branning as he navigates a surprising situation. And, in doing so, he finds himself in a unique spot which will have massive consequences for both himself and his own family. A press release from the BBC teased: “It becomes clear that 2026 has many secrets waiting to be discovered, and a whole heap of trouble that would be hard for any one person to talk themselves out of…” Max returned to EastEnders earlier this year (Credit: BBC) Ben Wadey teases year ‘full of drama’ in Walford Sharing the news, Executive Producer Ben Wadey promised: “For the first time in the show’s history, we’re going to be offering our viewers an entire flashforward episode set on New Year’s Day 2027.” He continued: “2026 is going to be full of drama in Walford, especially for the Brannings, and the episode is sure to raise plenty of questions on how Max has got himself, and his family, into such predicaments.” Ben teased: “But all is not what it seems, so stay tuned for 2026 to find out how and why.” Intriguing stuff! What does the year ahead have in store for Max and the Branning family? And how does this tie into reports of a bloody Christmas showdown between Max and Jack? 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 19 2025 By Joel Harley Nov 19 2025 Previous Story Next Story
