As the BBC soap edges towards its 40th anniversary, could fans see another legend return to Walford?
Former EastEnders actor Jake Wood is rumoured to be reprising his role as Max Branning, as the BBC soap approaches its landmark anniversary. As the show gears up to celebrate 40 years on air in February 2025, several familiar faces have already made their return to Walford.
In September, Chrissie Watts, played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, made a dramatic comeback as she was released from prison after murdering Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham). Michael French also made a brief appearance as David Wicks, offering support to his troubled daughter Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) before exiting once again.
Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) has returned to the Square and reignited her relationship with Martin Fowler (James Bye). Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) also made a surprise appearance at Christmas after a 26-year hiatus.
Ross Kemp’s character, Grant Mitchell, has been confirmed to make a much-anticipated return soon, as his brother Phil, played by Steve McFadden, grapples with deteriorating mental health.
Other characters including Joe Wicks (Paul Nicholls), Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), and Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) have also made brief appearances, but could there be another familiar face on the horizon?
The special anniversary episode, set to be broadcast live next month, promises numerous unexpected twists and potential actor slip-ups. Speculation is rife about the unfolding storylines, including the possibility of Max Branning’s return to Albert Square, reports Plymouth Live.
Actor Jake, known for his role as Max Branning in the long-running soap from 2006 to 2021, was central to some of EastEnders’ most gripping plots, including an infamous affair with Stacey Slater (played by Lacey Turner).
Jake brought the character to life for a solid fifteen years before bowing out in December 2020. Max’s ending saw him decide to start anew in Croatia after realising he had nothing left for him in Walford.
Since Max’s departure, his daughter Lauren Branning, portrayed by Jacqueline Jossa, has made a comeback to the soap and finds herself amidst the drama once again, pregnant and entangled in the ‘who attacked Cindy Beale’ mystery.
Max also fathered Annie Carter with Linda (portrayed by Kellie Bright), although he is still to meet his young daughter.
Jake Wood, who played Max, recently had a get-together with Scott Maslen, the actor behind Max’s on-screen sibling Jack Branning.
The pair were seen enjoying each other’s company, immortalised in a cheerful photograph from their night out that Scott shared on Instagram alongside the caption: “He ain’t heavy he’s my brother!”
This catch-up between the brothers has sparked speculation amongst fans that Jake might make a return to EastEnders for its momentous celebration, with many expressing their hopes for his comeback.
Quickly taking to the comments section of the Instagram post, one fan enthused: “Lovely photo! Been saying Jake has to come back to EastEnders for the anniversary surely?!”, while another eager viewer posed the question: “When is @mrjakewood coming back to the square?”
As it stands, on Gambling.com, Jake is pegged as the favourite to reprise his role in ‘EastEnders’, with odds sitting at 1/2, especially following his recent reunion with former co-star Scott.
Mimi Keene, who played Cindy JR, is the second favourite to make a comeback with odds standing at 8/15.
This speculation follows an attack on Cindy Beale (portrayed by Michelle Collins) during the Christmas period, with the identity of her attacker set to be revealed during the show’s anniversary week.
EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer
