Late last month, it was reported that Oscar Branning (previously played by Charlee Hall) could be set for a return to Albert Square after an eight-year hiatus.
However, in a slight change, Oscar, who last appeared on EastEnders in 2017, will be played by Pierre Moullier.
EastEnders legend Max Branning (Oscar’s father), played by Jake Wood, is also set to return to the popular soap for the first time since 2021, according to The Sun.
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EastEnders star fuels rumours of double return on BBC soap
EastEnders star Scott Maslen, who plays Jack Branning (Max’s brother), has now added fuel to these reports.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said “it may well be” that we see Max return to Albert Square after four years and other members of the Branning family might not be far behind.
Maslen said: “Well listen, my family is strong. The Brannings have got a long list of very strong characters, my sister, my brother, they are all brilliant.
“They would be more than welcome back. That is the beauty of this show.
“The work you put in, it doesn’t go away. It is always manifesting itself in new ways, in new kids or a new person, so there’s always [ a possibility].
“That’s what happens. There’s always people going, people coming back.
“It’s the amazing strength of this show because we can use people who are already a part of the history.”
Maslen isn’t the only EastEnders star to address the possible return of Max, with Jacqueline Jossa, who plays Lauren Branning (Max’s daughter), also commenting.
Jossa said: “I have seen the rumours. I feel like you would have to ask Ben [Wadey], I’d love it.
“They tell us nothing. I feel like they tell me nothing because if they tell me, I will tell the world by accident.
“I know nothing. It’s Max Branning. I’d love him back but he’s super busy. We’ll ask Ben, we’ll beg Ben. Where is he?”
She added there are some “very exciting” things to come on EastEnders in the next six months.
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EastEnders fans say it’s “the perfect time” for Max and Oscar Branning to return to Albert Square
It’s not just fellow cast members who want to see the return of Max and Oscar Branning, but also EastEnders fans.
Posting on Reddit group r/EastEnders about the possible return of Max Branning, one person said: “I’d love for him to return, I know people say he’s played out and stuff but I’m sure the writers could find something/someone for him to do.”
Another fan commented: “In my mind Steve McFadden is the king of EastEnders and Jake Wood is the crown prince. I definitely want him to return one day.”
While a third Reddit user posted: “I think everyone wants it. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they left it until a time when they really need to shake things up.
“Right now there are a lot of other crazy storylines happening which are keeping people entertained!”
While viewers on the same Reddit page also said now was “the perfect time” to bring Oscar Branning back to EastEnders.
One EastEnders fan commented: “Oscar Branning turns 18 this year! I feel like this is the perfect time for him to return.
“I feel like he has great potential as a character. I wonder how he feels about Max? I can remember Tanya not allowing Max to see him because of what he did to Steven so I wonder if they’re estranged. It could be another case of Bradley.
“I feel like there’s a lot for him to do since he’s got family on the square, I would love to see him reunite with Lauren, it would also be nice to see his relationship with Jack, Amy, Ricky and Penny.
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“Will Mitchell is the same age as him so they could develop a friendship.
“How will he react to finding out about his half sister Annie? How will he feel about Stacey considering Tanya blames her for ruining her family?
“We never even got to see him grieve Abi.”
EastEnders airs every Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One or you can watch episodes on BBC iPlayer from 6am.
