EASTENDERS is bringing back a character last seen on screen eight years ago – in a shock recast.
The Sun exclusively revealed the upcoming return of Max Branning to Walford as actor Jake Wood reprises the role he left four years ago.
🌐 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔.𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 – 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍
🌐 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔.𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 – 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍
🌐 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔.𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 – 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍
But now it can be revealed that he won’t be returning alone.
The BBC soap is set to begin rebuilding one of its main families with the Brannings to take centre stage once more.
Max’s comeback will also see his son Oscar arrive in Walford for the first time since 2017 – and he’s being played by a brand new recast.
Actor Pierre Moullier will play the now teenage Oscar taking over the role from Charlee Hall who last appeared in eight years ago.
A source said: “It is an exceptional bout of casting – Pierre looks more like a younger Jake than Jake did himself. It’s uncanny.
“He’s going to bring something new to Oscar and the character will definitely set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Square.”
Actor Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years to focus on other acting projects.
His comeback coincides with former on-screen lover Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, preparing to depart Walford.
A telly source said: “Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show.
“It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots.
EastEnders changes famous theme in honour of Max Branning’s exit after 15yrs
“There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.”
Speaking earlier this year Jake admitted he missed being part of the soap — except for the busy filming regime.
He said: “I don’t miss the schedules. Anyone will tell you how hard they are and sort of all-consuming, but obviously I miss a lot of the people.
“When you’re at the centre of a big storyline like EastEnders Christmas, something like that — it’s a real thrill as an actor to be a part of that, big storylines, big characters.”
Other aspects of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.
Earlier this month EastEnders scooped a TV Bafta for best soap — with executive producer Kate Oates teasing: “If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed because there’s potentially one on the cards.
“We’ve got some uncharted territory.”
