Walford is about to be shaken to its core once again as one of EastEnders’ most complicated and explosive characters makes his long-

awaited comeback. Max Branning, a man whose presence has historically spelled chaos, heartbreak, and scandal, is finally returning to

Albert Square — and his arrival instantly sets off three major attack storylines that will drag old secrets into the light, reignite dangerous rivalries, and leave the entire community on edge.

 

 

The producers promised a “dangerously unpredictable return,” and the upcoming episodes prove exactly that. Max Branning is no longer the broken man who left Walford — he is sharper, angrier, and carrying a mission that no one sees coming.

Here are the three attack storylines that will define Max’s explosive return.

1. Max’s First Target: Jack’s Authority — A Brutal Brother vs. Brother Clash

Max barely steps off the bus before locking eyes with his brother, Jack Branning, and the tension is instant. Jack has worked hard to rebuild his reputation and family life, but Max’s return threatens to dismantle everything in seconds.

 

 

Max blames Jack for failing him during his darkest moments — the imprisonment, the betrayal, and the aftermath of the Abi tragedy. According to spoilers, Max launches his first emotional “attack” within minutes of seeing Jack, accusing him of abandoning the family when they needed him the most.

Jack responds defensively, insisting he’s done everything he could to keep the Brannings together, but Max doesn’t buy it. Their fiery confrontation quickly escalates into physical territory, forcing bystanders at the market to intervene.

But it doesn’t stop there.

In the days that follow, Max begins a quiet but calculated campaign to undermine Jack’s position in Walford—especially his role as a father. He questions his parenting, digs into past mistakes, and even suggests that Jack’s influence is toxic to the Square. Rumor has it that Max uncovers information damaging enough to ruin Jack’s career and family life — and he holds onto it like a weapon, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

This brother vs. brother rivalry may become the most explosive feud EastEnders has seen in years.

2. Max’s Second Attack: Linda Carter — A Dangerous Emotional Triangle Reignites

The second storyline takes a more complicated and emotional turn. When Max sees Linda Carter again, the chemistry is instant — and so is the tension. Their previous affair nearly destroyed multiple families, and now, Max seems determined to revisit the past no matter the cost.

Linda is shaken by his return. She has worked tirelessly to rebuild her life and protect her children from more heartbreak. But Max brings with him a wave of unresolved feelings, guilt, and unfinished business that Linda is not ready to face.

Max begins an emotional pursuit, appearing everywhere Linda turns. Whether he wants forgiveness, love, or something darker remains unclear — but spoilers suggest that Max’s motives are far from innocent. In fact, one scene shows Max speaking to an unknown person on the phone, saying, “She’ll come around. I’ll make sure of it.”

This fuels speculation that Max’s interest in Linda is part of a larger plan — one that could tear apart the Carter family once again.

Mick’s absence leaves Linda more vulnerable than usual, and Max knows it. The emotional “attack” here is psychological, subtle, and deeply manipulative. Their history becomes a weapon, and the more Linda tries to push him away, the more persistent and unpredictable Max becomes.

3. Max’s Third Attack: The Square Itself — A Bombshell Business Plan That Threatens Walford’s Future

If Max’s emotional attacks weren’t enough, his third storyline shifts into a more strategic and wide-reaching plot. Max returns with a business plan that is not only aggressive but destructive. He aims to purchase sev