BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Kerry Barrett 24 Apr 2026, 15:04 By Kerry Barrett 24 Apr 2026, 15:04 'She's playing the long game' Fans are convinced Cindy is plotting revenge on Max Is this all an elaborate plot? Cindy Beale Max Branning Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Kerry Barrett 24 Apr 2026, 15:04 By Kerry Barrett 24 Apr 2026, 15:04 Max and Cindy shared a kiss in EastEnders this week after Max saved Cindy’s life. The drama of the car crash led to Cindy planting a smacker on Max, and the pair sharing a moment. There seems to be a real spark between the pair, and next week they decide they’re going to make a go of their romance. They even discuss going public! Sounds serious. But there’s one big old fly in the ointment – Steven Beale. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Who was Steven Beale? He was Cindy’s son – Peter’s older half-brother – and he died because of Max. It’s fair to see Max was in a bad way at the time, having just been released from jail after being framed for Lucy Beale’s murder.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. Steven set fire to the restaurant, and trapped Jane Beale inside. Max thought Lauren was in the flames, so he and Steven braved the fire to save her. Once they were inside, Max tried to get Steven to kill Jane, but he refused and tried to save her instead. Max shoved Steven into a counter causing damage to his internal organs that led to his death. Hmm. Awks. Max and Cindy definitely have a spark (Credit: BBC) Max and Cindy are moving on – or are they? This week, Max apologised to Cindy about Steven’s death. Cindy seemed absolutely fine with it all. Which is weird. Because she totally wasn’t fine with Bobby – who killed Lucy – living nearby. Of course, we all know Cindy Beale is a bit of a maneater, so it’s entirely possible she’d push aside her feelings about her son’s killer in order to get her end away. But maybe there’s more to it! Max and Cindy decide to make a go of it next week (Credit: BBC) Is this all about revenge? Some EastEnders fans have a theory about this – and we love it! They reckon that despite how it seems, Cindy is actually the master manipulator we’ve always known her to be. In fact, they think she’s stringing Max along in order to get revenge for Steven’s death. Could Cindy even be the bride from the flashforward episode? Would she go as far as planning a wedding in order to get revenge? We have absolutely no doubt about that! Could Cindy be Max’s New Year bride? (Credit: BBC) Will Max and Cindy be wedding planning? “Maybe it’s the start of some convoluted revenge plot culminating in the wedding,” one fan suggested. Others agreed. “I think Cindy is playing the long game,” a viewer wrote. “She’s gonna make Max pay.” Another said simply: “She will get her revenge on him.” Like all the best soap theories, this one sounds completely outlandish at first, and then becomes increasingly convincing the more you think about it. And for that reason, we’re on board! What do you think? 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 Kerry Barrett 24 Apr 2026, 15:04 By Kerry Barrett 24 Apr 2026, 15:04 Previous Story Next Story
