When pressed on whether she would consider reprising her role as Tanya, Jo explained: ‘Erm no, not this year. Never say never but I have got a lot on this year, so no.’

Tanya Branning first arrived in Walford in 2006, quickly establishing herself as a formidable and complex character. As Max’s wife and the

mother of Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald), and Oscar (Pierre Moullier), Tanya was central to some of the Square’s biggest storylines.

 

 

From her rocky marriage to Max, most infamously exposed during the Christmas Day 2007 reveal of his affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), to her later struggles with cervical cancer and the dramatic burial of Max alive, Tanya’s storylines remain etched in soap history. Her fierce loyalty to her children often defined her choices, even when her marriage was crumbling.

By the time she departed in 2013, and again briefly in 2018 following Abi’s tragic funeral, Tanya had cemented her status as one of the show’s most beloved matriarchs. Her final appearance showed Tanya unable to face entering the church to say goodbye to her daughter, Abi.

 

 

With Max back on the Square and Lauren holding a permanent place in Walford, the absence of Tanya has been particularly noticeable. Oscar, Tanya’s youngest child, also recently made a comeback and has grown significantly in the years since he was last seen on screen, something Joyner herself joked about in her podcast appearance.

The Branning family, once fractured, now has the beginnings of a reunion. But Tanya, who was often the glue holding them together, remains the missing piece.

Fans on social media have been vocal in their desire to see her return, with many pointing out that her presence could add even more layers to the ongoing Branning drama.

Is Tanya coming back?
EastEnders’ executive producer Ben Wadey was asked about the possibility of bringing Tanya back earlier this year. While he didn’t rule it out, he made it clear that, for now, other stories are taking priority.