EastEnders spoilers for next week: It's Max to the future as a shocking flashforward airs... with terrible consequences

Max's big day is almost upon us
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

Max Branning’s New Year’s Day flashforward airs in EastEnders spoilers for next week, with massive implications for him and the Branning family. Picking up with Max and the family on New Year’s Day in 2027, the shock events of today will have far-reaching implications for the rest of the year.

But what’s happened? And how exactly is Max involved?

Max looks suspicious as he stands at a window in his wedding suit
There’s never a dull moment with Max (Credit: BBC)

Max Branning’s flashforward airs in EastEnders spoilers

As 2026 dawns in Walford, a shocking flashforward episode takes place. As Max takes centre stage, we find the patriarch on January 1, 2027, attempting to navigate a truly surprising situation.

In doing so, Lauren, Oscar and Jack all find themselves swept up in yet another Max Branning drama.

What does the year have in store for Max and the Brannings?

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Max Branning in a promotional image
The event will have far-reaching implications for next year (Credit: BBC)

What can we expect from Max Branning’s flashforward episode?

Precise details of the flashforward remain scant for now. However, star Jake Wood has hinted at what fans can expect – teasing that the episode will be ‘jam-packed’ with drama.

Appearing on The One Show in November, Jake said: “I think it’s the first time EastEnders have done anything like this, so they have a whole episode which is one New Year’s Day.

He continued: “So, in the new year, you have got Max in a lot of trouble. And there’s a lot of drama. Those episodes are amazing. Then suddenly on New Year’s Day, we cut to The Vic, and it’s not New Year’s Day 2026, it’s New Year’s Day 2027.”

“We see Max, and he has obviously had a busy year. He has been in lots of drama and lots of events that have happened.”

Jake added: “I think the audience is really going to love it. There has been so much speculation, and it’s just a really interesting way of telling the story. Over the next year, we are going to build up to what we have seen.

“We have got a whole half an hour episode of the flash forward, and honestly, it’s jam-packed full of questions.”

How very intriguing! But what trouble is Max in now?

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.