🎭 Why Max’s Return Is Huge

• Jake Wood is back: After a four-year hiatus (he exited in 2021), the actor revealed Max will make a brief comeback this autumn, followed by a full-time return later in the year, according to the BBC and Max himself Reddit+12The Sun+12tvguide.co.uk+12.

• “I’m over the moon to be coming home to Walford,” Wood expressed, hinting at unresolved drama and turmoil The Sun+6The Sun+6tvguide.co.uk+6.

• New Executive Producer Ben Wadey says Max returns to a changed Albert Square—but not everyone will welcome him—promising family tension and old feuds reignited Digital Spy+5The Sun+5tvguide.co.uk+5.

👤 Oscar Branning Returns (Recast)

• Max’s son Oscar is also returning, now played by rising star Pierre Moullier.

• Moullier is praised for his uncanny resemblance to a young Jake Wood, and Steve Branning’s teen import undoubtedly ramps up the drama The Sun+10The Sun+10What to Watch+10.

🔥 What Will the “Chaos” Look Like?

• Max is a master manipulator: Expect his return to stir trouble—potentially reigniting old rivalries with the Beales, Mitchells, and fellow Brannings .

• He leaves unfinished business—including complicated family bonds and past betrayals—that could explode in his next arc .

• With Oscar’s return, parent–child dynamics get complex. Lauren Branning and Tanya could face friction, forcing Max to confront mistakes from his past Radio Times+15tvguide.co.uk+15The Sun+15.

🗓️ Timeline & What to Watch

• Brief return this autumn: A prelude to the bigger storyline.

• Full‑time return later in 2025, as teased by Wood and BBC sources Reddit+6The Sun+6tvguide.co.uk+6.

• Expect key moments around Halloween and Christmas—traditionally high-stakes décor—and award-worthy performances from Max.

🧠 Fan Buzz & Online Reactions

Reddit and fan forums have been avidly rooting for Max’s return:

“Max returning would shake up Walford… secret child… kept from him” What to Watch+3Reddit+3The Sun+3
“I can’t wait til he comes back… it’s killing me.”

Fans also anticipate explosive confrontations, especially with characters like Linda Carter, Stacey Slater, and the Beales.

📊 Final Take

Jake Wood’s return as Max Branning is one of the biggest soap comebacks of 2025—relaunching a legacy character with new energy, unresolved conflicts, and the next generation Branning drama. With Oscar’s recast in play, Walford is bracing for real fireworks this autumn.