Max Branning

Max Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by Jake Wood. He first appeared on 27 June 2006. Throughout his tenure, Wood took several breaks from the role, with Max temporarily departing in 2008, 2011, 2015–16, 2018, and 2019. In 2017, Max served as the show’s central antagonist following his release from prison. Wood departed the role in 2021 after 15 years, with his final scenes airing on 19 February. In July 2025, it was announced that Wood would reprise the role, with Max returning later that year. He appeared in flashback scenes on 3 September before returning to Walford for his daughter Lauren Branning's (Jacqueline Jossa) wedding to Peter Beale (Thomas Law). On 1 January 2026, Max was the focus of a flashforward episode to one year in the future, New Years Day 2027, with the events of 2026 set to focus on the Branning's and Max's journey towards the chaotic events of 2027.

Many of Max's storylines focus on his numerous relationships, including his marriages to Tanya (Jo Joyner) and Kirsty Branning (Kierston Wareing) as well as Tanya's sister, Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), and several romances, many of which are extramarital affairs. Max has also sparked numerous feuds and rivalries.

In 2008, Max was the subject of a whodunit storyline after being run over, with the culprit revealed to be his daughter Lauren. He later struggled with the death of his son Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) and was wrongfully convicted of Lucy Beale’s (Hetti Bywater) murder in 2015; the true killer was later revealed to be Bobby Beale. Following his release from prison, Max orchestrated a revenge plot against those he blamed for his imprisonment, culminating in a rooftop confrontation at the Queen Victoria public house in which his daughter Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) died and Lauren survived. In 2025, Max returned in flashback scenes involving Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) before making his full return to Walford.