A Brief but Explosive Return

Max Branning’s latest stint in EastEnders has already come to a dramatic halt. Played by Jake Wood, the iconic character reappeared in Albert Square last month after four years away, but his time was cut short as he fled Walford once again.

His return began with a surprise entrance at daughter Lauren’s wedding to Peter Beale. While his son Oscar welcomed him warmly, Lauren remained distant. Things quickly spiralled as Max clashed with his family and reignited old tensions with Stacey Slater — before getting involved with her cousin Zoe.

The Stacey and Zoe Fallout

Max’s kiss with Zoe Slater set off a chain reaction. Stacey was devastated, even striking Zoe when she brought up the late Martin. Kat and Lauren wasted no time in tearing into Max, accusing him of ruining Lauren’s big day.

While Zoe revealed she had been seeing Max for some time, the flame quickly burned out. After Zoe was dismissed and Stacey rejected him again, Max tried to make amends with Lauren. But his words cut deep, especially when he claimed Peter would “never be enough” for her.

Why Max Left Again

Rebuffed at every turn, Max concluded that Walford wasn’t the answer to his loneliness. Despite Oscar pleading with him to stay, he decided his family would be “better off” without him. He left a final voicemail for Stacey before slipping out of Walford, avoiding a confrontation with Cindy along the way.

When Will He Be Back?

Fans don’t need to panic just yet. Jake Wood’s comeback was never meant to be limited to this short arc. The BBC has already confirmed that Max will return for a full-time stint later this year, though the circumstances of his reappearance remain tightly under wraps.

Given his messy entanglements with Stacey, Zoe, and Lauren — and his unfinished business with Cindy — Max’s next chapter promises to be explosive. The only certainty is that wherever Max Branning goes, heartbreak, betrayal, and drama are never far behind.