EastEnders’ young talent Max Murray is not just an actor on the iconic BBC One soap; he’s also a musician with a surprising side gig.
The 17-year-old, who hails from a family of musicians – his mother Gina Murray is a singer and his grandfather Mitch Murray a renowned songwriter – has taken to the stage in a different way as part of a band with his brother Joe.
Max, who joined EastEnders as Joel Marshall earlier this year, has been thrust into the limelight with some intense storylines.
He’s been at the centre of some shocking storylines, with Joel being influenced by misogynistic content online, secretly filming himself having sex with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aalyiah James) and inappropriately touching a woman on the tube in front of his new friend Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall).
Away from the drama of Albert Square, Max leads a contrasting life as the frontman of The Murray Brotherz
Alongside his brother and keyboardist Robert Dallas, they debuted their single Dear Amy in July, a poignant tribute to the late Amy Winehouse on the anniversary of her passing.
Metro reports that the heartfelt lyrics, crafted by Joe, evoke the sorrow of playing Amy’s records and feeling solace in her voice.
The music video pays homage to Winehouse’s Back to Black, featuring Max emotionally performing the line: “Amy, I miss you,” reports Belfast Live.
Max’s fans were also impressed, with one writing: “Amazing,” and another saying: “Okay so that’s acting and singing ticked off. Add dancing next to become a legit triple threat. Max has that X Factor!”
A third fan said the performance was “Nothing short of brilliant.”
Another wrote: “What an amazing voice for one so young! This lad has a future in song. Good luck with your endeavours.”
It seems musical talent runs in the family – Max’s mother Gina is a singer who has appeared in EastEnders, playing a character called Helen in a 2014 episode.
Gina has also appeared on The Bill and Doctors, while Max’s grandad Mitch is an award-winning songwriter and record producer.
Gina has shown her support for her sons’ music on social media, writing on X: “Delighted and proud to announce my boys’ amazing original track, DEAR AMY, commemorating the anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s passing.”
