The EastEnders gang have released their first photo from the forthcoming Christmas episodes and it confirms that one particular resident will be taking centre stage over the festive period.
The snap features a dishevelled and angry looking Max Branning glaring ominously at something, with a festive stall holder in the background.
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There doesn’t appear to be any Christmas spirit in Max though as he looks to be trying to hide himself in a dark coat with his hood up. Or he could just be keeping warm, of course.
‘Enders have already said that the Branning clan will be taking centre stage this Christmas and show insiders have said the episodes are going to go down in Walford history.
It’s already been reported that celebrated EE writer, Simon Ashdown, has returned to pen the Xmas 2017 scripts. Simon has been responsible for some of the best Branning moments over the years.
And, as the pic shows, it’s Max who’s at the centre of the action as his long-running revenge plot comes to an explosive climax.
There are very few details available about the Christmas eps at the moment – and we wouldn’t want to spoil it for you anyway – but it’s clearly not going to be a season full of cheer for Max.
We know that in the run up to the big day Max becomes a man very much on the edge.
In next week’s episodes, Max’s lies are finally exposed and he faces the wrath of the Walford residents.
As we know, Max has been plotting – along with James Willmott-Brown and his clan – to get revenge on everyone who has wronged him – including his own family.
His brother, Jack, and daughter, Lauren, have paid their price for leaving him in jail, while Jane Beale was almost murdered and then sent away from the Square.
There’s wide speculation among fans that Max is saving his worst revenge for last with Ian Beale and Phil Mitchell being the targets for his rage – does he have murder in mind?
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Ian let Max go to prison for murdering his daughter and Max’s former lover, Lucy.
Phil was ultimately responsible for his incarceration though as he bribed the foreman of the jury to find Max guilty.
Max becomes increasingly unhinged over the festive period, leading to his downfall in an ‘apocalyptic scale’, leaving the Branning family shattered.
Elsewhere, Mick and Linda decide to renew their wedding vows after a year that’s seen them face infidelity, their son being shot and Linda’s cancer secret.
The couple are devastated as they face losing The Vic and are determined to make their final Christmas in Walford be the best one ever.
Their happiness could be at risk though when newcomer, Aidan, offers Mick an opportunity that is difficult to say no to – but the consequences could be deadly.
Sounds like Christmas EastEnders is going to be a cracker.
Haha.