Branning

EastEnders aired a much awaited ‘reunion’ between Max and Stacey in tonight’s episode – and although it wasn’t face to face, it doesn’t look like we’ll be waiting very long…

The drama continued in tonight’s EastEnders, after last night’s cliff hanger saw Max Branning (Jake Wood) make his return to the show four years after his exit. It was revealed he was calling Zoe, with fans left wondering why. In tonight’s episode there connection was revealed, with a ‘reunion’ between Max and Stacey.

As Zoe lay fighting for her life in hospital, Stacey was the one in charge of her phone, and decided to give the “mystery man” a call, with no clue it was her former flame Max Branning.

After last night’s jaw-dropping reveal, fans were sure Max was after Zoe. In tonight’s episode, it was revealed that they were together romantically after having met in a bar just a year ago. The pair had never met prior, but were aware of each other’s families.

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Max then leant her £5,000 to assist her in tracking down her son, as a private investigator found out had been fostered.

She then went to visit the foster parents neighbour in a bid to get information, but as he attempted to sexually assault her, resulting in Zoe striking him with a lamp. He was rendered unconscious, with Zoe believing she had murdered him.

Max refused to become involved and a furious Zoe stormed out his car as she proceeded to ring Stacey Slater, although we have no idea what was said.

Cut back to the present day, and as Stacey held Zoe’s phone in the waiting room, she saw a number of messages from Max, telling Zoe he still had the necklace he bought her, and can also get money to her. Of course, Stacey had no idea who was on the other end, as she attempted to phone him.

Obviously thinking it was Zoe on the other line, Max answered by saying: “Did you miss me? Is everything okay?”

With the bad signal, Stacey didn’t recognise Max’s voice, although he clearly recognised hers and she asked who he was and what he wanted.

Max stopped speaking as he was left in shock, and although he hasn’t reunited with Stacey face to face yet, it may not be long until they do as he ‘threatened’ to return to Walford in a later conversation with Zoe.

As Zoe rang Max at the end of the episode, he guessed she was in Walford, after hearing Stacey’s voice.

Zoe warned him to stay away, saying she would “end him” if he came anywhere near, but Max wasn’t having any of it, as he told Zoe he hates being told what to do.

We know Max is making a permanent return to the Square, and although Stacey is set to be leaving soon, we’re sure the soap won’t miss a chance to have them face to face once again.

In the historic 2007 Christmas episode, Max and Stacey’s affair was finally exposed in dramatic fashion when Lauren put footage of them kissing on the wedding DVD. The Slaters and Brannings watched on in horror, before furious Bradley, who was married to Stacey, tried to attack his dad.

They hooked up once again ten years later on Christmas Eve. They planned to run away together, but things took a tragic turn when Tanya turned up and Abi and Lauren fell off the roof of the Vic.

With their digital reunion today – how will Stacey react when she finds out who really was behind the phone?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Oscar Branning is set to make a return to Albert Square since his last appearance in 2017 and Max Branning’s son is set to turn the life of his sister Lauren upside down

EastEnders is known for bringing back characters to Albert Square. And this time is no different as Oscar Branning is set to make a return to Walford after eight years away.

Oscar is the son of Tanya and Max Branning but the mum of three fled Walford to get away from her toxic husband, with her young son in tow.

Oscar has not been seen on screen since 2017 when he made a brief appearance on the BBC soap to celebrate Father’s Day with his elated dad, in full view of other residents at the Queen Victoria pub.

And while Oscar, who is now 17, has always been a little on the quieter side leaving the family drama in the hands of his parents and elder sisters, Lauren and Abi, it seems sparks are set to fly this time round.

Speaking about Oscar’s upcoming appearance played by Pierre Moullier, Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “I’m very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he’s all grown up.”

He added: “Oscar is very much a Branning which means there’s going to be plenty of drama in store this summer. We’re delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can’t wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.”

And when asked how he felt to be joining an iconic soap, actor Pierre explained: “It’s pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I’m actually on Albert Square!”

He went on to explain: “When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet.”

He added: “Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he’s a complex guy!”

But Oscar’s character is not the only one to have made a comeback, so too has Zoe Slater played by Michelle Ryan.

Twenty years has passed since Michelle was last seen in Walford. And her most memorable scene was in 2001 when she screamed at Kat Slater in the middle of the square “you ain’t my muvva.” To which Kat emotionally responded: “Yes I am.”

But according to the BBC website, Michelle claimed that returning to the show was “like coming home.”

Ben Wadey said that before taking on the role of Executive Producer, Michelle’s character Zoe was on his wish-list.

He admitted to the website: “I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Walford.”

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EastEnders actor Scott Maslen has confessed a major twist involving his character Jack Branning was only shared to him 15 minutes before the scenes were filmed for the BBC soap

Soap bosses took it right up to the wire where an EastEnders twist was concerned, only telling the cast members involved 15 minutes before it needed to be filmed.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards, actor Scott Maslen confessed it was very last minute when he was informed of a possibly show-changing twist. The Jack Branning actor and his co-stars had just minutes to react to and process the bombshell, before having to film for the show.

To add to the pressure, the scenes in the fallout to the news were being filmed live for the special 40th episode, and being aired to the nation. There was little preparation, and as soon as Scott learned the big twist he pretty much had to perform it on air very quickly.

The twist in question was the result of the public vote in February, with fans deciding whether Denise Fox reunited with husband Jack, or chose new flame Ravi Gulati. In the episode it was revealed that Denise, courtesy of the fans, had chosen to stay with Jack and dumped Ravi.

READ MORE: EastEnders in huge schedule shake-up as soap undergoes major change from next week

As this played out on air, it was only 15 minutes prior that the cast had even been told. It was a super quick turnaround, as Scott and his co-star Aaron Thiara, who plays Ravi, were walking towards the famous set ready for their live scenes when they learned which of them would be chosen.

The actors were together at the time before making the necessary preparations to film the scenes viewers saw on the night. Scott told us: “I am happy the public chose Jack, it’s obviously a big story to put you in that situation.

“I have been there a long time. Aaron’s come in so well and so strong, he’s a lovely, lovely lad. It was a big ask for both of us but we had a lot of fun. We didn’t think too much about it.”

Scott actually wasn’t sure what way it would go, expecting to get some time off with Denise choosing Ravi. He joked: “I was thinking maybe I was gonna get some fishing time in, so I voted for Ravi myself. I was like vote Ravi everyone!”

On the little time they had before filming, Scott explained: “It was right up to the wire. 15 minutes! I’ve got a little video of me and Aaron walking down and doing the last march. We were together.”

But there were no hard feelings between the cast members despite the rivalry onscreen. He explained: “It didn’t matter, we’re a team. It’s not about individuals, it’s a team game. Our job is to tell stories and we do what we are told.

“We’re part of a team and I am very lucky to have worked with these people for such a long time, so hopefully it will keep going forward.”

He also teased whether it was truly over for the love triangle, adding: “It’s EastEnders ain’t it. Ravi is gonna be back, you know he is.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

EastEnders actress Kitty Castledine has teased what’s ahead for Penny Branning, with her co-star Jacqueline Jossa hinting at a love triangle with Harry Mitchell

There could be a big love triangle on EastEnders, with one star teasing things could get awkward for Penny Branning.

The actress playing her, Kitty Castledine, has confessed huge storylines are on the way, hinting the soap was about to get “better and better”. With that, her co-star Jacqueline Jossa hinted Kitty’s character Penny would be caught up in a love triangle.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards, Kitty addressed whether Penny and Harry Mitchell would give romance another go. But amid another character possibly also getting involved, it seems a triangle is on the cards.

As we asked Kitty and Jacqueline about the Penny and Harry romance, both appeared to confirm the storyline would be revisited. It’s then that Jacqueline told us: “I can sense a little triangle coming. I say no more.”

Pressed for who the other character was who might be involved with Harry, both stars declined to reveal all. But when asked if romance could be on the cards, Kitty told us: “It’s EastEnders so probably!”

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We also got Kitty’s take on Nicola Mitchell amid her villainous ways. But the actress isn’t put off from having Penny go head-to-head in scenes with Harry’s mother, after recent drama in Walford.

In fact, Kitty confessed that while it might not be the best idea for Penny to dabble with the Mitchells, she thinks conflict between the women would be “great”. Jacqueline confessed she’d love to see Penny in with the family, battling with Nicola over Harry – while it wouldn’t exactly end well given what happened to Harry’s ex Shireen.

Kitty told us of wanting to work more with Nicola actress Laura Doddington: “Scenes with Nicola could be great. The thing is, they butt heads because they are quite similar. They’ve got similar attitudes.”

Ready for the action, Jacqueline added: “I think we would want to see it. I’d wanna see it.” As for what’s coming up on the BBC soap as a new Executive Producer takes over, Kitty teased there would good things to come.

She shared: “The show is in a good place, and it is only going to get better from here.” Jacqueline also teased big returns on the way amid rumours that Max and Oscar Branning will be back.

Jacqueline told us: “I’ve heard some rumbles. I heard Kate Oates’ source say maybe there are gonna be some returns and for me that excites me, whoever it is.” While she did not give away who was coming back, she seemed to give away it’s more than one character.

The actress also hinted there were massive plots on the way, teasing where the show will be at in six months time. She teased: “I’m a massive fan of the show. I am so excited for [what’s happening], cut to 6 months time, where the show will be [in six months time]. It excites me. You don’t know but we know, it’s very exciting.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .