{"id":548960,"date":"2026-03-18T19:12:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/548960\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T19:12:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:12:13","slug":"eastenders-reveals-max-brannings-next-target-in-ominous-early-iplayer-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/548960\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders reveals Max Branning&#8217;s next target in ominous early iPlayer release"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"EastEnders\" data-node-id=\"3.0.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EastEnders<\/a> spoilers follow for Wednesday\u2019s episode (18 March), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn\u2019t yet aired on TV.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">EastEnders has revealed Max Branning\u2019s next target, as he stumbles across a secret involving his daughter Lauren Beale. This week, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70741116\/eastenders-spoilers-cora-surprise-return-lauren-max\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70741116\/eastenders-spoilers-cora-surprise-return-lauren-max\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Lauren took Mark Fowler up on his surprise offer\" data-node-id=\"9.2\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lauren took Mark Fowler up on his surprise offer<\/a> to give her a series of expensive vehicles that she would sell at the car lot.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Unbeknownst to her, these cars are actually stolen, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70721001\/eastenders-spoilers-end-mark-fowler-story-ravi-iplayer\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70721001\/eastenders-spoilers-end-mark-fowler-story-ravi-iplayer\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Mark has hatched another criminal scheme\" data-node-id=\"13.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mark has hatched another criminal scheme<\/a> to raise the \u00a3100,000 he desperately needs to pay off his boss in the gang. <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"lauren branning, mark fowler jr, eastenders\" title=\"Lauren Branning, Mark Fowler Jr, EastEnders \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4356\" height=\"2811\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/lauren-branning-mark-fowler-jr-eastenders-69a5987cc9dfc.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"> Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services\" data-node-id=\"18.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">When Lauren discovered that there have been a string of high-end car thefts in the area, she got suspicious \u2013 and discovered the truth when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70767585\/eastenders-spoilers-mark-caught-out-lauren-iplayer\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70767585\/eastenders-spoilers-mark-caught-out-lauren-iplayer\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"she overheard an incriminating conversation\" data-node-id=\"22.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">she overheard an incriminating conversation<\/a> between Mark and his associate Sonny.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Lauren confronted Mark <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70652095\/eastenders-spoilers-zoe-son-answers-over-jasmine\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70652095\/eastenders-spoilers-zoe-son-answers-over-jasmine\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"in today\u2019s episode\" data-node-id=\"26.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">in today\u2019s episode<\/a>, and as he begun to explain himself, he dragged Lauren into the Boxing Den before Max could walk in on their blazing row.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">When Lauren threatened to go to the police \u2013 or her uncle Jack \u2013 about Mark, he reminded her of the text she sent him asking for more cars, which made it look like she was in on the scheme.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Mark urged Lauren to continue selling his cars as normal, promising that she won\u2019t be incriminated if he got caught out, but Lauren was called away before she could give an answer.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"39\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Lauren and Peter met with a mum of a visually impaired child, who told them about a specialist nursery that they were interested in sending Jimmy to. They were left feeling encouraged but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70679647\/eastenders-spoilers-lauren-temptation-dangerous-mark-scheme\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70679647\/eastenders-spoilers-lauren-temptation-dangerous-mark-scheme\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"concerned about the hugely expensive nursery fees\" data-node-id=\"39.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">concerned about the hugely expensive nursery fees<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"ian beale, peter beale, lauren branning, eastenders\" title=\"Ian Beale, Peter Beale, Lauren Branning, EastEnders \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4283\" height=\"2855\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ian-beale-peter-beale-lauren-branning-eastenders-69a5987b7f601.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"44\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70771192\/eastenders-spoilers-for-next-week-23-to-26-march\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70771192\/eastenders-spoilers-for-next-week-23-to-26-march\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"10 huge EastEnders spoilers for next week\" data-node-id=\"44.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">10 huge EastEnders spoilers for next week<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Later, Lauren cautiously asked Penny for advice about her tricky dilemma. When she and Peter told their families about the nursery, Ian, Jack and Max agreed to contribute to the cost, though they warned the couple that money is tight currently.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Back at home, Peter told Lauren that he was going to jump back into personal training in the evenings to earn some extra cash, making it clear that he will do anything for their kids.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"56\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">This made up Lauren\u2019s mind, so she met up with Mark and told him that she refused to risk getting involved with criminal dealings when Peter was working so hard to provide for the family.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"max branning, eastenders\" title=\"Max Branning, EastEnders \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4282\" height=\"2855\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773861133_929_max-branning-eastenders-699d851db8f5b.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"61\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70760048\/eastenders-spoilers-zoe-josh-meeting-cindy-secret-exposed\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/a70760048\/eastenders-spoilers-zoe-josh-meeting-cindy-secret-exposed\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"EastEnders confirms momentous Zoe and Josh meeting - as Cindy secret is exposed\" data-node-id=\"61.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">EastEnders confirms momentous Zoe and Josh meeting &#8211; as Cindy secret is exposed<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"65\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;I do not want to be dragged down with you,&#8221; she said. &#8220;From now on, just stay away from me, and my family.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"69\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">As Lauren walked away, it was revealed that Max had spied this heated conversation. What will he do now that he knows about Mark\u2019s dodgy scheme?<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"73\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">EastEnders airs on Mondays &#8211; Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"77\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"http:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/eastenders\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage\" data-node-id=\"77.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"82\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don&#8217;t miss the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@InsideSoapYoutube\/videos\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@InsideSoapYoutube\/videos\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Soap Scoop podcast\" data-node-id=\"82.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Soap Scoop podcast<\/a> from Inside Soap magazine. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AEzAJBInhF0\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AEzAJBInhF0\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The latest episode\" data-node-id=\"82.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The latest episode<\/a> delves into next week\u2019s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale- from Jodie\u2019s latest move in Weatherfield, to Oscar\u2019s new romance on the Square!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday\u2019s episode (18 March), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":548961,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[64,63,229445,428,271589,430,134,429,271588,229646,427],"class_list":["post-548960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-34063a52-853a-4b3e-96df-73db62a97dcf","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-eastenders-reveals-max-brannings-next-target","tag-subsection-eastenders","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=548960"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548960\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/548961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=548960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=548960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=548960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}