EastEnders viewers are abuzz with excitement now that the once-forgotten Oscar Branning is set to return—this time as a 17-year-old portrayed by newcomer Pierre Moullier. After nearly a decade away, fans are reacting strongly to his dramatic reintroduction, praising not just the casting choice, but the potential this storyline brings to Albert Square.
Oscar Branning first appeared as a toddler in 2007, and his last on-screen moment was a brief 2017 Father’s Day visit. With the role now recast, Moullier steps in just as his sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) re-establishes roots in Walford, and his father Max’s unexpected return looms on the horizon reddit.com+15thefreelibrary.com+15thesun.co.uk+15forums.digitalspy.com+3thesun.co.uk+3reddit.com+3.
🎭 Fan Reaction: He Looks Just Like Max
One of the hottest topics online is how much Moullier resembles Jake Wood (Max Branning). On the Digital Spy forum, one user exclaimed, “Fair play he’s the spitting image of Jake Wood imo.” The comment gained rapid agreement entertainmentdaily.com+3forums.digitalspy.com+3reddit.com+3. Across social media, viewers echo that sentiment: the resemblance isn’t just physical—it feels like Max reborn as a teen.
That familiarity carries weight. Fans believe Oscar’s return will signal a revival of the Branning family feud, a storyline rich with history and emotional complexity.
🔄 Excitement Over Branning Revival
Long-time fans have been anticipating a revival of the Brannings, and Oscar’s recast is being hailed as the first big move. One forum member wrote, “Wadey’s going to create a 2000s style Branning revival, isn’t he?” forums.digitalspy.com. Indeed, Executive Producer Ben Wadey has pointedly teased, “Oscar is very much a Branning, which means there’s going to be plenty of drama in store this summer” thesun.ie+15thesun.co.uk+15thesun.ie+15.
The energy feels electric—viewers are already theorizing about possible plotlines, including Oscar following in his father’s footsteps, or becoming intertwined in teen drama mixed with Branning-style corruption.
🧠 Reddit Reactions: Forgotten No More
Reddit fans are full of nostalgia and humor. One wrote, “Oscar Branning is next,” joking that the show might even give a storyline twist involving the Slater women mylondon.news+2reddit.com+2thesun.ie+2reddit.com+11reddit.com+11reddit.com+11. Another fan fondly remarked that the character “has been forgotten in the midst of all the Branning drama… poor kid” reddit.com+1thesun.co.uk+1. These comments set the tone: Oscar was missed, and now his return is causing buzz.
A popular Reddit thread even speculates that Oscar’s arrival might coincide with significant life events, such as weddings or family reunions—possibly linking him to Lauren’s wedding plans reddit.com+6reddit.com+6reddit.com+6nation.lk+1reddit.com+1.
💥 Why the Hype Matters
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Nostalgia Factor – Oscar being a part of the Branning clan taps into long-term viewer sentiment and plots from the early 2000s.
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New Teenage Storylines – At 17, Oscar can now interact with now-teen characters like Peter Beale’s children or classmates at Walford High.
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Catalyst for Legacy Drama – His return could bring Lauren’s storyline full circle and pave the way for Max’s late-year comeback.
⏳ What to Expect
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Emotional Confrontations: Oscar could arrive with unresolved anger toward Max or Tanya, opening a portal to re-examine the Branning family tensions.
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Youth-Focused Arcs: Expect high-school rivals, teenage romance, and adolescent rebellion—all new drama channels for EastEnders.
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Family Power Dynamics: Watch for Oscar testing alliances—especially between Max, Lauren, Tanya, and possibly new romantic interests.
🗨️ Fan Predictions
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A fan on MyLondon expressed enthusiasm: “They could also bring Tanya back … or a teenage Oscar Branning” thesun.ie+12mylondon.news+12thesun.ie+12.
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Others envision him signing up as a mentor or rival for other teens like Stacey’s children.
🎥 About Pierre Moullier
For audiences unfamiliar with Moullier, he brings strong acting chops from theater and screen, including Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga. He’s described his Oscar as “complex” and warns fans to “prepare for the unexpected” reddit.comen.wikipedia.org+1independent.co.uk+1. It’s clear his casting isn’t casual—it’s intentional and strategic.
✅ Verdict: A Return with Promise
EastEnders has made a smart move by recasting Oscar at a pivotal age. Viewers see him as a catalyst—someone who could reenergize long-standing narratives or ignite new ones. The resemblance to Max gives the show thematic continuity, while raising expectations for youthful, fresh drama.
Oscar’s reentry isn’t just a cameo—it could be the beginning of a new era for the Brannings and Albert Square.
Fans are speaking with a unified voice: this isn’t just nostalgia—it’s potential greatness in motion. Oscar’s return might just turn out to be one of EastEnders’ most exhilarating comebacks yet.
