The countdown to Christmas officially begins today and that means it’s 24 days until the EastEnders Christmas special!
To whet our appetite, EastEnders executive consultant John Yorke has told the Radio Times the story they have planned is “one of the biggest we have ever told on EastEnders.”
Yorke confirmed that the Christmas Day episode “will revolve around Max”, played by Jake Wood, and will see him and his company conspirators “get their spectacular comeuppance” after they have plotted to redevelop Albert Square.
He said: “The really big story on Christmas Day, and one of the biggest stories we have ever told on EastEnders, will revolve around Max and how his past actions all come back to haunt him in the most powerful and appalling way.”
We know what Max’s daughters Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) have been written out of the soap and Yorke’s comment suggests at least one of them could leave in a coffin.
Yorke said events over the festive season will result in “laying down the shape of Albert Square for years to come” following the Weyland & Co plot to tear down many of the pubs and businesses in Walford and replace them with swanky flats.
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The storyline has involved bringing back villain James Willmott-Brown, who raped Kathy Beale more than 20 years ago.
He’s now the boss of Weyland and creepier than ever with his sons Luke and Josh getting involved with Ben and Lauren respectively, perhaps with ulterior motives, and daughter Fi romancing Max to keep him sweet.
But Yorke has said the dastardly clan will soon get what’s coming to them – and he doesn’t just mean coal in their sacks from Santa.
“The Branning family and their wider clan will be at the heart of the drama, as all of those involved in the plot to buy up and build over Albert Square get their spectacular comeuppance,” he said.
“This Christmas is going to be a classic EastEnders Christmas – the time of year when EastEnders should be at its very best – and we can’t wait for people to see it.”
We can’t wait to see it! Only 24 days to go!
Meanwhile, the BBC are also giving fans the chance to watch past Christmas specials by releasing them on iplayer over December.
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The classic episodes, which will only be available to watch for a limited time, will include Kat and Alfie’s 2003 festive wedding, Tanya Branning’s discovery that Max was having an affair with daughter-in-law Stacey in 2007, and the murder of Archie Mitchell from 2009.