EastEnders viewers are sure they’ve figured out Max Branning’s murder victim after his arrest in the flashforward episode.
EastEnders fans are convinced they’ve figured out who Max Branning will murder — and she’s already a resident of the Square.
The BBC One soap certainly didn’t hold back during its highly anticipated flashforward episode on New Year’s Day 2026, which jumped ahead to the same date in 2027.
The episode centred on Max (Jake Wood) as he prepared for his fifth wedding to an unknown bride. However, his big day was abruptly interrupted when the police arrived to arrest him.
Armed officers stormed Albert Square and raided Max’s flat, charging him with solicitation of murder. His attempted escape was foiled when his own daughter, Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa), tipped off the authorities.
The identity of Max’s potential victim remained a mystery as he was taken in for questioning. However, devoted EastEnders fans are convinced Max is planning to kill Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), after spotting a major clue, according to OK!
During Wednesday’s visit to the Square (January 21), Max teamed up with his rival, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), to plot a secret scheme targeting Jasmine.
The plan came to light after Jasmine mysteriously fled Walford, having secretly killed her father, Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey). She also convinced her boyfriend, Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier), to travel with her, enraging his father, Max.
Tensions boiled over inside The Queen Vic when Max threatened to tell Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) about Jasmine’s escape. In response, Jasmine concocted a story claiming Max had tried to kiss her, leaving Kat shocked. Oscar stormed out of the pub in anger, while Max insisted on his innocence and followed him home, briefing Lauren and Cindy on the unfolding drama.
Meanwhile, Kat began to suspect that Jasmine may have been lying about the kiss, as well as other issues, and shared her concerns with Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), who remains convinced that Jasmine killed Anthony.
Jasmine then launched a verbal attack on Cindy, warning that she would drag the Fords into the situation if Cindy continued to oppose her.
In a surprising twist, Cindy arranged a secret meeting with Max, and the two vowed to come up with a plan to take Jasmine down.
“She might be the sequel, but I’m the original,” Cindy said. “And whatever we hatch, that nasty little problem child will never see it coming.”
EastEnders viewers are now convinced that Max and Cindy will conspire to murder Jasmine, which would explain Max’s mysterious arrest in the flashforward scenes on New Year’s Day.
On X, one viewer commented: “Max and Cindy teaming up to take down Jasmine — how interesting! #EastEnders,” while another added: “Maybe Max planned to kill Jasmine in the flash-forward, she’s really pushing her luck. #EastEnders.”
One fan asked: “IS IT JASMINE THAT’S GETTING MURDERED? #EastEnders,” and another wrote: “Cindy and Max teaming up is a recipe for disaster #EastEnders.”
“Just watched tonight’s #EastEnders! I knew Cindy and Max would join forces to take down Jasmine. This also ties Cindy into the NYD 2027 storyline with Max. Plus, it looks like Kat’s been speaking to Jean, which explains why she’s suddenly turned against Jasmine,” added another viewer.
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