EastEnders has aired Oscar Branning’s (Pierre Moullier) return, and he’s wasted no time getting under the skin of the locals, especially Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).
The tearaway teenager was released from a youth detention centre after serving three months for driving a stolen car, and his big sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) is now tasked with looking after him and keeping him out of trouble.
Oscar has also confessed to Lauren that their mum, Tanya (Jo Joyner), kicked him out of their family home due to his bad behaviour. He also told Jack that he’s had no contact with his dad Max (Jake Wood) for a few years. But as fans of the BBC One soap will know, Max is set to return to Walford in the near future.
Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) was surprised to see Oscar back in Albert Square but has vowed to support the lad in the absence of his dad.
The police detective had also been absent in recent episodes as he was visiting his sister, Suzy Branning (Maggie O’Neill), who has broken her collarbone.
Eagle-eyed fans have pointed out that Suzy has been mentioned several times over the past weeks and are now convinced she is also making a return to Walford alongside her brother Max.
Jim Branning’s troublesome daughter Sue turned up for the first time in 1996 at sister April’s wedding – and at that time was played by Julie Christian-Young. The character wasn’t spoken of until she started calling needing financial help in 2008 and she returned with a new face.
Shameless actress Maggie O’Neil took over the role and the character was rebranded as Suzy Branning.
She was reintroduced as a love interest for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) which meant she was constantly fighting with Shirley Carter (Linda Henry).
Suzi then tried to con Phil out of all his money while pretending to be pregnant.
It was Suzy who was used by Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) to plant baby Amy’s DNA test results in the Christmas cracker for Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) to find.
After Suzy left in disgrace following her failed bid to steal Phil’s money, actress Maggie went on to appear in Call the Midwife, Midsomer Murders, and BBC drama The Split.
EastEnders fans are now predicting Suzy’s explosive return to Walford, with one person writing on X: “Suzy Branning mention, need her back immediately # EastEnders.”
A second stated: “Obsessed with aunty Suzy and her broken collarbone – get well soon dorl #EastEnders.”
A third wrote: “Need Suzy Branning back on the square where she belongs #EastEnders.”
“A Suzie Branning mention with a broken collarbone in Norwich and Jack has gone to visit her #Eastenders @bbceastenders,” predicted another.