BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Joel Harley 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Claire Crick 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Joel Harley 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Claire Crick 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 Who's Max's flashforward gunman, pregnant lover and mystery bride? All the fan theories so far Everything we know about Max's flashforward... Features Max Branning Max Branning's New Year flashforward Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Joel Harley 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Claire Crick 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Joel Harley 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Claire Crick 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 EastEnders aired a shocking flashforward earlier this year, giving viewers a tantalising glimpse at what the future holds for Max Branning and his family in 2026 and 2027. This included the revelation that Max is getting married to an as-yet unseen bride. Max being Max, there’s more to that than meets the eye, though, and as he woke up on New Year’s Day 2027, he’d also shared his bed with a mystery pregnant woman. Then there was the matter of the sinister gunman lurking in the shadows, taking Oscar and Lauren hostage as the episode ended, and demanding that Max choose which child survives. Intriguing stuff! But who’s who in this game of Love, Marry, Kill? Here’s our run-down of the biggest fan theories thus far. Who’s threatening Oscar and Lauren? (Credit: BBC) 1. Max’s flashforward gunman: all the EastEnders fan theories so far In the episode’s most dramatic twist, a mystery figure arrived on the Square and took both Lauren and Oscar hostage. As the episode ended, they sent Max a message informing him that they were holding his children hostage – and demanding he choose which one to survive. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers But who’s the lone gunman? Some suspect that it could be none other than local drug dealer Ravi Gulati… “I am so confused. But I know I’m meant to be. Defo think Ravi is the gunman tho,” wrote one fan on X. “RAVI IS THE GUNMAN…” another claimed.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. “Ravi is the gunman and wants revenge on Max,” commented a third. But why would Ravi be targeting Max? Is Tim the gunman? (Credit: BBC) Or could it be Tim? However, other fans think it could be Johnny’s blackmailer, Tim Walton after Max got rid of him for Linda earlier this year. “Tim will be the gunman,” predicted one fan over on X. While another fan was also thinking along the same lines, stating, “Does Tim come back at New Year?” Someone else also agreed: “Tim will want revenge on Max, maybe he’s the New Year gunman?” Someone’s pregnant… but who? (Credit: BBC) 2. Max’s pregnant lover Related to the above, some have wondered whether Max’s pregnant lover could be none other than Priya… which might explain why Ravi’s out for his blood. “I think Priya is the one in bed with Max, who he’s got pregnant and Ravi is the gunman,” wrote one fan. “I’m guessing that Max sleeps with Priya or has an affair, then Ravi goes after Lauren and Oscar with the gun!” said another. “What if Priya is the pregnant woman?” a third asked. However, there are plenty of other candidates in the picture… the mum-to-be would have to fall pregnant around now (April) for her to be heavily pregnant in January, and some fans think that it could be Sam. This week, Sam celebrated her recovery from cancer by hooking up with Zack. And the fans think that brief liaison could lead to her finding out she’s expecting a little baby Hudson. Though Sam is in her 50s now, there have been a couple of older mothers in EastEnders in the past. Both Denise and Sharon got pregnant when they were not expecting to. But what we’re less convinced about is whether Sam would be in bed with Max Branning when she’s pregnant with Zack’s bubba! Who’s Max marrying? (Credit: BBC) 3. Who’s getting married in EastEnders flashforward? The mystery bride ‘revealed’ And then there’s the matter of the big wedding. As the episode began, it became clear that it was Max’s wedding day… and that he’s not marrying whoever he woke up in bed with. So who is the bride? Some fans are convinced that Bea Pollard could be the mystery bride… “What if Bea is marrying Max? Would explain why the wedding dress is at Linda’s,” wrote one fan. “Well, that’s the Max conspiracy sorted out. He’s definitely going to marry Bea Pollard,” said another. She’s far from the only candidate, though. Indeed, it would be quicker to list who isn’t a possible future bride of Max Branning. For now, fans have wondered whether he could be marrying Denise or Chelsea Fox (which would explain Libby’s return), old flame Linda Carter, Priya (presuming she’s not the pregnant lady)… or even Cindy Beale as their romance is currently blossoming. Who do you think Max is marrying? And will the marriage go ahead? Fans think drama will unfold at the Queen Vic (Credit: BBC) 4. A dramatic siege at The Vic for the EastEnders flashforward Fans have also predicted drama at The Vic by the end of 2026 after spotting the windows of the pub were boarded up in the flashforward episode. One fan wrote on X: “Judging by the boarded up windows on the Vic in the flashforward, I’m either guessing they’ll be another fire or a siege.” Others think the pub will have new owners by the end of the year. “Whoever is running the Vic, or is supposed to set up for the wedding reception, left Tracy in charge. And there’s a broken window!” Someone else agreed: “With the owners of the Vic referred to as ‘them’ in the flashforward, it seems Kat and Alfie might have lost the pub by Christmas.” Nicola isn’t a fan of Chelsea’s in the EastEnders flashforward (Credit: BBC) 5. Forbidden romance for Chelsea and George Fans have spotted a clue in the New Year flashforward episode that hints at romance between George and Chelsea. Fans think a moment between George and Chelsea when she was supporting him over baby Ivy’s early arrival was the start of a relationship between the pair after a blink-and-you ‘ll-miss-it clue in the flashforward saw Nicola clearly hating Chelsea for a mysterious reason. In the episode, George asks Nicola, “Did you go and talk to Chelsea?” to which she replies, “No, I would rather eat glass.” Hmm, intriguing! Fans think this could mean that George and Chelsea have a romance and that today’s episode is laying the groundwork for an affair… “Chelsea screen time at last!” said one fan on Reddit. “I really enjoyed her scene with George. I might be overthinking it, but I’m hoping nothing happens between them, given how annoyed Nicola seemed when he asked about her in the flashforward.” Another fan agreed: “I had the same thought. Our Chelsea does love men who are taken!” “And there’s the fact that he’s older, which Chelsea has said she likes,” agreed another viewer. Over on X, fans were saying the same thing. “Just throwing it out there… but Nicola hates Chelsea by New Year’s Day,” someone commented. Fans think Penny is doomed (Credit: BBC) 6. EastEnders flashforward death on the cards for Penny? The flashforward episode also saw Jack looking after a baby called Ethan, and they are convinced that it is Penny’s baby. But why would Jack be looking after him and not Penny? Fans are worried that her absence from the flashforward means she’s met her maker. Fans took to social media to share their fears… “I’m scared Penny dies because in the flashforward. Jack was grieving and looking after a baby,” said one fan on Reddit. Another agreed: “The baby in the flashforward is Penny, and she dies.” While someone else begged writers not to get rid of Penny… “Penny better not die. I’m warning the writers now, do not test me!” Other fans think that Denise is pregnant after recently complaining that she is tired, and that the baby is Jack and Denise’s son… “Oh God, Denise has been feeling knackered? I doubt that’s just a throwaway line. Are they hinting that she’s pregnant?” said one fan on Reddit. Someone else agreed: “I thought they were definitely hinting at it on today’s episode. Everyone is so convinced Ethan is Penny’s baby. But he could be Jack and Denise’s all along.” A third echoed: “I’m calling it. Denise is the one who is pregnant!” Will Lauren and Mark have an affair? (Credit: BBC) 7. Business or pleasure for Lauren and Mark? Some fans think that the mystery person Lauren is texting in the flashforward episode is Mark… and that they are having an affair. However, other fans think the messages were purely business, and they are doing dodgy deals together. “I’m convinced Mark and Lauren’s relationship is purely business, and Mark is pulling Max into organised crime. The New Year flashforward had way too many police officers for it not to be organised crime. I still don’t think she has an affair with Mark,” said one fan on Reddit. Someone else agreed: “I’ve said it since the flashforward. The text messages Lauren received did not read like they were from a lover. They were very much business-related. And Lauren wasn’t surprised at Max being arrested. Organised crime makes total sense.” Another fan also agreed that Mark and Lauren wouldn’t be having an affair. “It wouldn’t make sense to have both Mark and Vicki have affairs.” 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 Joel Harley 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Claire Crick 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Joel Harley 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 By Claire Crick 21 Apr 2026, 18:04 Previous Story Next Story
