The BBC’s long-running soap has been building up to the culmination of Max’s (played by Jake Wood) complex storyline for the last several months, but now an EastEnders boss has revealed that the character will face serious retribution, potentially ending in catastrophe.
Speaking to Radio Times, creative director John Yorke teased: “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.”
The writer-producer also revealed that James Wilmott-Brown’s sinister plan to take over Walford, along with his troubled offspring, will collapse as all involved get their “spectacular comeuppance”.
He continued: “The story kicks off at the end of November and rapidly builds to a Christmas climax – with the events on Christmas Day laying down the shape of Albert Square for years to come.”
Rumours abound of matriarch Tanya Branning’s (Jo Joyner) return before the end of the year, while the Brannings will face more heartache with the departure of daughters Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) – could Max be about to kill them in a fit of rage?
Yorke added: “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.”
While Yorke is assumed to be behind the plot structure leading up to Christmas, the soap have also brought back writer Simon Ashdown for the monumental episodes.
Ashdown has a poignant connection to the upcoming scenes as not only was he involved with the Branning family’s creation, but was also instrumental in the horrific reveal of Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and Max’s sordid affair 10 years ago.
Yorke said of Ashdown’s reintroduction to Metro: “I’m delighted to welcome one of EastEnders’ greatest writers back to the show.
“Simon has delivered some of EastEnders’ biggest moments and I hope people will agree that his Christmas episodes are right up there with his very best work.”
Read the full interview in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine, out now.
EastEnders continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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