EastEnders fans, buckle up—because Walford may soon be welcoming back not one, but two iconic legends from the Branning family, and their return couldn’t come at a more explosive time.

As Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) stands on the brink of two major life events—marrying Peter Beale and giving birth to their child—rumors are swirling that her long-absent parents, Tanya (Jo Joyner) and Max Branning (Jake Wood), could be making a shock return to Albert Square. And fans are buzzing with excitement and speculation.

Lauren has had a traumatic year. From surviving the deadly crash at Peggy’s bar to battling a harrowing painkiller addiction, her life has been anything but peaceful. That chaos was only amplified by her feud with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who—true to form—manipulated Lauren with pills in a bid to keep her quiet about her affair with Junior Knight, the son of her ex-husband George.

The web of lies finally unraveled in a spectacular Christmas Day showdown, when Lauren publicly played a recording of Cindy’s confession inside The Queen Vic. The fallout was swift and brutal. Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) eventually attacked Cindy with a shovel, leaving her for dead. Cindy fled Walford shortly after… until now.

In a jaw-dropping twist, Cindy crashed Peter and Lauren’s engagement party just days ago. Though met with anger and rejection from both the Beales and the Knights, she made one last attempt to confront Lauren at home—only for the confrontation to be interrupted by Lauren suddenly going into labour.

With a baby on the way, a wedding looming, and emotions at boiling point, fans are convinced this is the perfect moment for Tanya and Max to reappear—and they may already be en route.

Taking to social media, one fan wrote on an EastEnders Facebook fan page:
👉 “Now more than ever, Max and Tanya should come back! They have a new grandchild—pleaseeeee.”
Another echoed the sentiment:
👉 “Defo, they have a new grandkid and Lauren’s getting married. They HAVE to be there.”
And a third hinted:
👉 “I’ve got a feeling at least Tanya might return. Lauren needs her mum.”

Their potential return would send shockwaves through the Square. Tanya, known for her fierce loyalty and fiery spirit, was last seen in 2018 during Abi’s tragic death storyline. And Max, the ever-divisive character, hasn’t been spotted since 2021, when he walked away from Walford after losing custody of his granddaughter Abi and enduring a string of heartbreaks.

Together, Max and Tanya have one of the most turbulent histories in soap. From Tanya burying Max alive to his affairs and betrayals, their dynamic has always been a dramatic rollercoaster. But they’ve always shared one constant: their deep, complicated love for their daughter Lauren.

And now, with Lauren at a literal life crossroads—about to give birth and marry into the Beale clan—what more powerful time for Max and Tanya to walk back into her life?

Their arrival could throw several storylines into chaos. Max and Ian Beale have a longstanding feud, and Max would undoubtedly have opinions about his daughter marrying Peter, especially given the Beale family’s connection to the trauma in Lauren’s life. Tanya, too, would likely have strong words for Cindy, especially knowing the damage she’s caused to Lauren and the family.

Add in Lauren’s vulnerability post-addiction, Peter’s shaky loyalties, and Cindy’s volatile presence, and you’ve got the makings of a monumental Branning reunion that could either bring healing—or ignite a war.

And let’s not forget: both Jo Joyner and Jake Wood have publicly left the door open for a return. Fans still fondly remember their performances, and their chemistry onscreen is nothing short of iconic. The timing feels right, the stakes are high, and the emotional payoff would be undeniable.

In classic EastEnders fashion, what starts as a joyous milestone—a baby, a wedding—may soon spiral into a fierce family reckoning. If Max and Tanya do return, expect fireworks, confrontations, and long-buried secrets to come tumbling out.

So what do EastEnders have up their sleeve?

The Brannings are synonymous with drama, passion, and intensity—and if Walford’s most unpredictable family makes a full comeback, no one will be safe from the fallout.

Watch this space… and don’t miss EastEnders, Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and early on BBC iPlayer.