OSCAR BRANNING RETURNS! | BEHIND THE SQUARE | EASTENDERS

It’s the return no one saw coming—and it’s already shaking up the streets of Walford. Oscar Branning, son of Jack Branning and Selina Branning, is back on EastEnders after more than a decade off-screen. Now a young adult, Oscar steps into Albert Square with a calm exterior, but fans are quickly learning he’s brought plenty of unresolved baggage with him.

In true EastEnders fashion, nothing is ever simple when it comes to the Branning family—and Oscar’s arrival is no exception. From buried family secrets to hidden motives, Oscar is walking straight into a web of drama. So what’s brought him back, and what can viewers expect from his return?

Let’s go Behind the Square.

A Brief Recap: Who is Oscar Branning?

Long-time fans will remember Oscar as the quiet, often-overlooked son of Jack Branning and Selina Branning. Born in the mid-2000s, Oscar made appearances as a child in several episodes, usually during moments of family conflict or crisis. After Jack and Selina separated, Oscar and his mother moved away, and he was rarely mentioned in recent years.

While the Branning family has seen its share of drama—affairs, deaths, arrests, and betrayals—Oscar was largely shielded from the chaos. Or so we thought.

That is, until now.

Why Now? What Brings Oscar Back to Walford?

According to recent episodes, Oscar’s return is sparked by a deeply personal reason: the recent death of his mother, Selina. Struggling to process his grief and feeling disconnected from his roots, Oscar reaches out to Jack, the father he barely knows.

Jack, caught off guard by his son’s arrival, tries to welcome him back into the fold. But the reunion isn’t exactly a warm one. Oscar’s cool demeanor hides a simmering anger and sense of abandonment. He doesn’t trust Jack—or the complicated family surrounding him.

There are also hints that Oscar isn’t being entirely honest about his reasons for coming back. He says he’s looking for a new start, but EastEnders fans know better: nobody returns to Albert Square without a hidden agenda.

Meet the New Oscar: Quiet, Calculated, and Carrying Secrets

Oscar Branning is no longer the shy little boy viewers may vaguely remember. The adult version of Oscar is mysterious, intelligent, and emotionally guarded. He keeps to himself, observes everyone around him, and doesn’t speak unless he has something pointed to say.

Early scenes show Oscar watching the dynamics of the Branning family with cold detachment, silently judging the dysfunction. When questioned, he offers vague responses that seem to irritate Jack and puzzle Denise.

“I’m just here to see what I missed,” he tells Denise one evening. “That’s all.”

But viewers are already picking up clues. He’s been seen secretly texting someone unknown, checking addresses in a notebook, and lingering near places connected to the Branning past.

Is he seeking closure—or revenge?

Jack Struggles With Fatherhood—Again

For Jack Branning, Oscar’s return opens up a wave of guilt and confusion. Jack hasn’t been the most consistent father—something made painfully clear in scenes where Oscar confronts him.

“You were too busy playing hero cop or chasing after Ronnie,” Oscar accuses. “You never came for me.”

Jack’s attempts to reconnect are sincere, but awkward. He invites Oscar to move in temporarily, hoping to rebuild their bond, but Oscar’s icy reception leaves Jack doubting himself. At one point, Jack confides in Denise, “I feel like I’ve already lost him—and I only just got him back.”

Oscar’s presence also forces Jack to confront past choices. His complicated romantic history, his failed marriages, and his fractured relationships with his other children are all laid bare once again.

Tension Builds Across the Square

Oscar’s reappearance doesn’t just affect the Branning household—it begins to ripple across the Square.

• Amy Mitchell feels threatened by her half-brother’s sudden arrival. She’s confused, hurt, and worried Jack might shift attention away from her.

• Denise tries to be supportive, but can’t shake the feeling that Oscar is hiding something.

• Billy Mitchell recognizes Oscar from a distant memory—and reveals a startling detail about Jack’s past dealings during Oscar’s early years.

• Lauren Branning, Oscar’s cousin, reaches out with an olive branch, only to get emotionally shut down.

And then there’s Max Branning, still persona non grata in the Square. Spoilers hint that Oscar will seek him out in secret—opening the door for Max’s dramatic return down the line.

A Dangerous Discovery

In an upcoming episode, Oscar sneaks into Jack’s locked desk drawer and finds something he shouldn’t: an old file connected to a cold case. The details are unclear, but fans speculate it involves a long-buried Branning family scandal—possibly even tied to one of Jack’s police investigations.

This discovery could explain why Oscar is really back. Was Selina hiding something from Oscar about Jack? Was Oscar looking for evidence to confirm a suspicion?

The tension escalates when Oscar is seen at the Queen Vic, speaking cryptically to a mysterious man. “You said I’d find the truth here,” he whispers.

Is Oscar being manipulated by someone with a vendetta? Or is he the one pulling strings?

What’s Next for Oscar? Spoilers Tease Explosive Twists

Upcoming spoilers for the next two weeks suggest Oscar’s storyline is about to heat up:

• July 22: Oscar lashes out at Jack in public, causing a scene that leaves half the Square stunned.

• July 23: Denise confronts Oscar about his hidden phone messages—his cold response frightens her.

• July 24: A shocking confrontation between Amy and Oscar ends in disaster.

• July 26: Oscar disappears—and a cryptic letter is left behind, hinting at a dark Branning secret.

Fans are already speculating online: is Oscar really Jack’s son? Could Selina have lied all these years? Or is Oscar seeking justice for something bigger—something involving crime, betrayal, or even revenge?

Final Thoughts: A Branning Reborn

With Oscar Branning’s return, EastEnders is weaving a complex, character-driven story full of emotion, secrets, and suspense. He’s not just a legacy character—they’ve turned him into a wildcard.

Will he find peace with his family—or tear them apart from within?

One thing’s certain: the Square will never be the same again.