EastEnders fans are wondering if a mystery new character shown with the Beales and the Brannings in the Flashforward episode could be Zoe Slater’s son on the BBC soap
08:00, 02 Jan 2026Updated 08:10, 02 Jan 2026
There was a mystery surrounding an EastEnders newcomer during Thursday’s flashforward(Image: BBC)
There was a mystery surrounding an EastEnders newcomer during Thursday’s flashforward episode.
An unknown man appeared onscreen with the Beales and the Brannings. He was known to them, as he spoke with them as if they were close, and Max Branning waved at him too.
He was stood with Oscar Branning after his dad Max’s arrest, with the unnamed man seen asking Jack about it all. He seemed as concerned as they were about the big drama.
Fans think they know who he is though, while in the credits he’s known as “man”. According to said credits he is played by actor Stephen Aaron-Sipple.
Viewers believe he could be linked to Oscar and that when the scenes air in 2027, they may be dating. But it’s a different character on the show that they think the might be related to.
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EastEnders fans are wondering if a mystery new character shown with the Beales and the Brannings in the Flashforward episode could be Zoe Slater’s son(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Several viewers questioned if he could be Zoe Slater’s secret son who we are yet to meet. Fans wondered if Oscar would be dating the twin brother of his love interest Jasmine when 2027 arrives, after Patrick Trueman’s comment about him being family.
While he might not be the right age to play Zoe’s son, it hasn’t stopped fans guessing this is who he is. One fan commented: “Could the guy stood with Oscar on the square be Zoe’s son?”
Another fan said: “I’m calling it, Oscar ain’t with Jasmine in the flash forward, he’s with Zoe’s son.” A third fan posted: “I feel the guy he was stood with is his boyfriend and Zoe’s son/Jasmine’s brother.”
It’s not known when this new character will debut, and his link remains unknown for now. Some fans wondered if it was a recast of an existing character. A fan suggested: “I’m just gonna put this theory out there… could he be Mark Fowler Jr?”
An unknown man appeared onscreen with the Beales and the Brannings(Image: BBC)
It comes as fans think they know who the pregnant woman is in Max’s bed. As he rolled over, there was a woman also waking up, but her identity was covered.
She had a baby bump though which she was caressing, and the camera then panned to a baby scan as well as pregnancy supplements. After a recent random scene this week on the BBC soap, fans think it was a major hint at what was ahead.
With so much more to be explained, it hasn’t stopped fans thinking Chelsea Fox is the pregnant character in Max’s bed. Just days ago she suggested she found him attractive, so fans think this was the clue that she would be the woman.
Fans wondered if Oscar would be dating the twin brother of his love interest Jasmine when 2027 arrives(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Sharing their theories on social media in reply to the preview, fans noticed the woman appeared to sigh. One fan said: “Sounds like Chelsea that does.” Another view agreed: “Sounds like Chelsea,” as a third said: “Honestly it kinda sounds like Chelsea sighing.” A further comment read: “That’s Chelsea sighing.”
The comments kept on coming too with another reading: “Gotta be Chelsea, she’s not been in a big story line for a while.” One fan said: “Priya or Chelsea definitely involved!”
Another said: “That sounded like Chelsea,” as a fan admitted: “Oh, that sounds like Chelsea!” A final comment said: “That’s got to be Chelsea in bed with Max Branning in 2027.”
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .