Max Branning is set to marry a mystery woman in 2027, with his preparations for the big day making up the New Year’s Day episode, which will flash forward a year in time
19:30, 30 Dec 2025Updated 19:49, 30 Dec 2025
EastEnders ‘reveal’ Max Branning’s mystery bride ahead of New Year flash forward(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders has dropped some very big hints about who Max Branning might be marrying in 2027 – and it’s not Cindy Beale. In a flash forward to 2027, the New Year’s Day episode is set to jump ahead by a year, when Max will be readying to walk down the aisle.
Despite already sleeping with Cindy after returning to the show, some fans are certain that Max will not marry her, nor will he marry Linda Carter, the mother of his youngest, Annie. Instead, the show seems to be hinting at a romance with Nicola Mitchell.
During Tuesday’s episode (30 December), Max and Nicola shared a quick but flirty conversation, brimming with chemistry. Though their time together did not become more than a chat, the sparks were flying, leading many to believe that Nicola would be the mystery bride.
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Some think Nicola Mitchell will be the bride(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
“Max Branning x Nicola Mitchell is delicious,” said one fan. “This is the energy we need for 2026.” Another added: “Max meeting Nicola in Harry’s Barn with Amy Winehouse’s Love is a Losing Game playing in the background. Is this a hint of things to come? Is the much-vaunted EE flash-forward going to be Max marrying Nicola?!”
A third added: “Max trying to read Nicola’s mind acting like he’s a good judge of character. I wonder if Nicola and Max will share scenes in the Flashforward?”
Cindy Beale is also a potential bride(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Others have pointed out that there are many women who have been linked to Max and could end up with him in a year’s time. “It’s so easy to ship him with multiple women because he’s got good chemistry with them all. Linda, Tanya, Stacey, Cindy, Nicola…” another fan said.
The first episode of 2026, airing on January 1, will jump from 2026 to 2027. Jake Wood, who plays Max, has said that his character will go from being at “an all-time low” to being in a position where things are “not quite as bad”.
“I think Max is probably at an all-time low on New Year’s Eve,” Jake said. “We go into the flash forward, and it’s in such stark contrast. So see a man who’s maybe at his lowest we’ve ever seen him, and then we flash forward and things are maybe not quite as bad.”
As is Linda Carter(Image: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Jake’s onscreen daughter Jacqueline Jossa also said she had “so many questions” and that none of the cast know who Max is set to marry. “I haven’t got a clue, so we’ll find out next year, probably with all of you lot.
“Obviously, we’ll get the answers as we go, which means every time I get a script now, I’m looking for the answer.” But this wasn’t easy: “There’s so many questions and no answers.”
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