EastEnders Fans Praise Newcomer After Heartbreaking Max Branning Reunion
Walford Welcomes a Familiar Face — and a Rising Star
Emotions ran high in EastEnders this week as Max Branning made his dramatic return to Albert Square — and while not everyone was happy to see him, one performance stole the show. Fans have flooded social media to praise young actor Pierre Moullier, who plays Max’s son Oscar Branning, calling for him to “stick around for a long time” after a heartbreaking reunion scene left viewers in tears.
Max’s Return Brings Old Wounds to the Surface
After four years away, Jake Wood’s Max Branning returned to Walford for daughter Lauren Branning and Peter Beale’s wedding. His surprise arrival sent shockwaves through the guests, reigniting old tensions with Stacey Slater and sparking gossip all over Albert Square.
Despite all the chaos surrounding Lauren’s big day and Stacey’s departure to Brazil, it was Max’s emotional moments with his son Oscar that truly hit home for fans.
A Painful Goodbye Between Father and Son
Oscar, who had been thrilled to see his dad back, was crushed when Max revealed that he wouldn’t be staying in Walford after all. In one of the week’s most moving scenes, Oscar pleaded, “It would really mean a lot,” only for Max to gently tell him that he’d “find the answer inside himself.”
Left heartbroken, Oscar watched his father walk away once more — tears falling as the wedding celebrations carried on around him. The quiet devastation of that moment resonated deeply with viewers.
Fans Rally Behind Pierre Moullier’s Performance
Following the episode, fans took to Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate Pierre Moullier’s powerful performance.
One user wrote, “Pierre has shown he’s got great comic timing, but tonight proved he can deliver real emotion too. That scene broke me.” Another added, “He’s such a perfect fit for EastEnders — funny, vulnerable, and completely believable.”
Many viewers also praised his chemistry with Jake Wood and called for the Branning family to take a more central role again. “He’s brought the Brannings back to life,” one fan commented. “We’ve got them back as a real family unit.”
The Brannings Back in the Spotlight
Oscar’s emotional arc comes as EastEnders continues to reintroduce legacy characters and long-running family ties. Initially played by Gabriel Miller-Williams (2007–2008) and later Neo Hall, the character of Oscar hadn’t been seen since 2017. Pierre’s portrayal since joining the cast in July has breathed new life into the role — balancing humor with heartfelt vulnerability.
With fans pleading for him to stay and storylines hinting at a possible future for the Brannings, it seems Oscar’s story in Walford may be just beginning.