EastEnders has finally confirmed how Oscar Branning will be drawn into the drama surrounding his father Max’s long-awaited return to Walford — and it’s set to be heartbreaking.

---

Max Branning Returns to the Square

This week marks the explosive comeback of Max Branning (Jake Wood), whose arrival immediately shakes up the Square. His return coincides with daughter Lauren’s shock last-minute wedding to Peter Beale — a ceremony already guaranteed to stir tensions.

But while many residents are furious to see Max again, it’s Oscar who faces the most devastating impact.

---

Oscar’s Struggle for His Father’s Attention

Now reintroduced as a troubled teenager, Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) has been carrying deep resentment, feeling abandoned by both parents.

Next week’s spoilers reveal that Oscar desperately tries to reconnect with Max during a tense scene in the Queen Vic. But instead of embracing his son, Max is distracted — his attention consumed by Zoe Slater, with whom he shares a dark, complicated past.

For Oscar, the rejection is crushing, reinforcing the belief that he’ll never come first in his father’s life.

---

Behind the Scenes: A New On-Screen Duo

This storyline also marks the first time Jake Wood and Pierre Moullier have shared the screen together. Pierre admitted he was nervous acting opposite such a soap icon, while Jake reflected on the surreal experience of seeing Oscar grown up: “It’s quite weird, and a bit embarrassing that he’s taller than me now. I still remember filming the birth scenes.”

---

More Turmoil Ahead

Max’s return won’t just impact Oscar. Lauren is furious to see her father again, and Max also faces a fiery confrontation with Cindy, who still blames him for her son Steven’s death.

But it’s Oscar’s tragic sidelining that could be the most emotional blow — setting the stage for a strained father-son relationship that may take centre stage in the weeks to come.