EastEnders character
Max Branning
Portrayed by	Jake Wood
Duration	2006—2008
First appearance	27 June 2006
Profile
Date of birth	10 May 1969
Date of death	21 March 2008
Home	5 Albert Square
Occupation	Insurance salesman
Family Family Branning family Spouse Rachel Branning (1987-1992) Tanya Cross (1993-2008) Father Jim Branning Mother Reenie Branning Siblings Carol Jackson Sue Branning April Branning Derek Branning Jack Branning Children Bradley Branning Lauren Branning Abi Branning Oscar Branning Nephews and nieces Robbie Jackson Billy Jackson Bianca Jackson Sonia Fowler Penny Branning

Max Branning is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He is played by Jake Wood. He made his first appearance on 27 June 2006. Image File history File links Max_b_ee. ... Jake Wood (born 12 July 1972) is a British actor. ... is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of where characters live in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Rachel Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... James Archibald Jim Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Doreen Reenie Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Carol Jackson (née Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Sue Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... April Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Derek Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Jack Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Bradley Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Lauren Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Abigail Abi Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Robert Robbie Jackson (born Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Billy Jackson (born 1995) is the first son of film director Peter Jackson and his wife, screenwriter and producer Fran Walsh. ... Bianca Jackson (née Branning, previously Butcher) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Patsy Palmer. ... Sonia Ann Fowler (née Branning; previously Jackson)[1] was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... A fictional character is any person, persona, identity, or entity whose existence originates from a work of fiction. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... The first TIME cover devoted to soap operas: Dated January 12, 1976, Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes of Days of our Lives are featured with the headline Soap Operas: Sex and suffering in the afternoon. A soap opera is an ongoing, episodic work of fiction, usually broadcast on television... EastEnders is a popular BBC television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC1 on 19 February 1985[4] and continuing to date. ... Jake Wood (born 12 July 1972) is a British actor. ... is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

History

Max is the estranged son of Jim Branning and the father of Bradley, Lauren, Abi and Oscar Branning. James Archibald Jim Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Bradley Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Lauren Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Abigail Abi Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

He arrived in Albert Square with a broken down car, and met Stacey Slater in the street. She gave him directions to The Arches to get his car fixed. He flirted with mechanic Carly Wicks while he booked his car in. He went to his father's house where Pauline Fowler was cleaning. He presumed Pauline to be Jim's wife. Jim was shocked when he returned home to find his son, after a seventeen-year absence from his life. Jim asked Max to leave, saying that he didn't want to be reminded of his past mistakes. He refused to apologise for the way he raised Max and Max pushed him against the wall. Bradley came in to see Max and Jim fighting, not knowing who Max was. Jim reluctantly left Bradley and Max to talk. Max told his son how he was a teenage father and couldn't cope, leaving his wife Rachel and young son after an affair with a woman named Tanya, who he later married. He explained that he had come to Walford to make amends with Bradley. Bradley asked him to leave. He returned to The Arches, generously tipping Carly, while his estranged wife Tanya walked up behind him. When she saw him flirting with Carly, she demanded a divorce. Max begged her for one more chance, and saw a 'To Let' sign outside Johnny Allen's house, number 5 Albert Square. He suggested that they moved into Albert Square. Tanya, who wasn’t aware that Bradley and Jim lived at number 25, decided to give him his last chance, despite having discovered Max's mistress and deciding to file for divorce. Albert Square is the fictional location of the British soap opera Eastenders. ... Stacey Slater is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... This is a list of buildings, shops and businesses seen and referred to in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, most of which are located in the fictional London borough of Walford. ... Carly Wicks is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Pauline Fowler (née Beale) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played continuously by actress Wendy Richard[1] from the shows first episode on 19 February 1985 and remaining on-screen for almost twenty-two years. ... Rachel Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Tanya Branning (nee: Cross) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Walford is a fictional borough of East London in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Jonathan Johnny Allen was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Billy Murray. ... This is a list of where characters live in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... This is a list of where characters live in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

The next day, Jake Moon, who was taking care of Johnny Allen's estate, showed Max and Tanya around number 5. Max and Tanya argued about his affair while viewing the house, but he assured her that he was focused on his family now. He sent Tanya to look around Walford, which she approved of. The Brannings moved into number 5 on 3 July 2006, and Max announced that he had bought number 10 Turpin Road for Tanya to open as a beauty parlour. He met up with Bradley again, who was warming to him more. Bradley asked how Tanya, Lauren and Abi had reacted to him living in the square. Max hadn't yet told them, but lied and said that they couldn't wait to meet Bradley. Jim revealed the truth to Bradley, culminating in Bradley confronting his father in front of a stunned Tanya. Max eventually charmed his family into peace, after Tanya threatened to leave Walford with Abi and Lauren. Jacob Jake Moon was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of buildings, shops and businesses seen and referred to in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, most of which are located in the fictional London borough of Walford. ...

Max and Tanya decided to have a house warming party, inviting Garry Hobbs, Phil and Peggy Mitchell, Pat Evans, Kevin Wicks, Denise Fox and Elaine Jarvis. Max spoke to Pat about a hotel he had been to with Gemma Clewes. Tanya overheard their conversation and got upset. Max assured her that his affairs were in the past. The next day she persuaded Bradley to come to dinner, much to Max's joy. On the night of the dinner party Max was late home and Tanya discovered a text message on his phone saying "Thanks for tonight". She sent a text to the sender, inviting them to come over. Max realised this and stopped Gemma from coming. He then invited his friend Jason who was designing the beauty parlour for Tanya. This humiliated Tanya as Max pretended that his meeting with Jason was meant to be a surprise for her. He visited Gemma and ended the affair for good. Garry Hobbs is a fictional character in EastEnders. ... Phillip James Phil Mitchell is a long-running fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Margaret Peggy Mitchell (née Martin, previously Butcher) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Patricia Pat Evans (née Harris; previously Beale, Wicks and Butcher) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Kevin Wicks was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Denise Fox is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Elaine Jarvis is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Sian Reeves and currently appearing in five episodes, with the chance of returning later in the year. ... Gemma Clewes was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... A received SMS being announced on a Nokia phone. ...

The next day, Gemma visited Max at the same time as Bradley, introducing herself to his son. Bradley decided not to talk to Max again. However, after Max had made it clear that he never wanted to see Gemma again, she booked an appointment with Tanya for a makeover intending to confess the affair to her. Bradley saw her and made her leave, not wanting Tanya and his sisters to get hurt. Max thanked him, but he was unresponsive.

Max got involved with Bradley's life again when he saw Bradley being bullied by his work colleague, Steve Clarke in The Queen Vic. When both Bradley and Steve were put up for promotion, Max advised Bradley to tell his boss of the bullying and Steve was sacked. This reaffirmed the bond between Max and Bradley but Jim was disgusted at Bradley following his father's advice. He threw Bradley out and informed Rachel that he didn't want Bradley living with him any more. Bradley moved in with Max but Rachel arrived and was upset that Bradley hadn't told her that Max was living in Walford. She decided to stay in Walford with her son. She later got jealous of Max and Tanya's relationship, still bitter at him for cheating on her with Tanya. She attended the opening party for Tanya's beauty parlour and attacked Tanya. Max escorted her out and she tried to kiss him, but he did not reciprocate. The next day she told Tanya that they had kissed, but Tanya didn't believe her and Rachel left Walford. Steve Clarke was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... The iconic look for the Queen Victoria, that has been used since 1992. ...

On Bradley's birthday, his girlfriend's brother Sean invited himself to the Brannings' for dinner. He kissed Tanya when she didn't want him to, and she told Max. He threatened Sean not to go near her again. Stacey also revealed that she was pregnant and Max tried to persuade her and Bradley to keep the baby. Instead she had an abortion. Sean Slater is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

Max and Stacey

After Bradley and Stacey broke up, Max and Stacey started an affair. They slept together on Christmas Day 2006 and had been taking every opportunity they could find to spend time together. Max was meant to pick Abi up from school but he was with Stacey kissing in the toilets of The Queen Vic. Abi walked home alone and was hit by a car being driven by Deano Wicks. One day later because of guilt he dumped Stacey and blamed her for the accident. Their affair stopped for a while, but it resumed again in mid February 2007. Max felt extremely guilty when Bradley told him that he had dumped Lydia Asler but still had feelings for Stacey. The iconic look for the Queen Victoria, that has been used since 1992. ... Dean Deano Wicks is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Lydia Asler is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

On Valentine's Day Max did not go out with Tanya but enjoyed a night with Stacey in bed. Tanya told Max that she wanted marriage counselling the next day, as she was suspicious that something was going on. They planned to meet for lunch the day after that, but Max made an excuse that he was going to Kensington for work. He was with Stacey once again. Max bought earrings for Stacey but accidentally the receipt fell out of the bag. Tanya returned to the house and saw the receipt and assumed that Max had bought her a birthday present. Abi then revealed that Max was giving Tanya a handbag. At this, Tanya became even more suspicious. After this, Tanya told Preeti Choraria about the receipt, and later that day Stacey came into Booty to book an appointment when Preeti told her about the receipt. At this Stacey immediately informed Max about the receipt and urged him to buy some jewellery for Tanya. On Tanya's birthday Tanya and Max went to The Vic to celebrate. Stacey went to the toilets and knew Max followed her. They started kissing in one of the cubicles, but they froze when Tanya came knocking at the door. However, Max and Stacey got away with it again when Stacey's brother Sean flirted with Tanya and led her out of the toilets back to the bar. In early March, Stacey revealed that she had fallen in love with Max and that she was fed up with being the other women in his life. She told him that he had to make a choice between herself or his wife Tanya. Max kept Stacey sweet however, hoping that it would take her mind off his having to make a choice, as he didn't really want to. For other uses, see Kensington (disambiguation). ... Preeti Choraria is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Look up John in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

One day Stacey decided to buy herself some saucy underwear to impress Max. In the meantime, Max was helping Abi do her school project. Stacey crept in to Max's house wearing a long black coat. When Max saw her he panicked since his daughter was in the kitchen, but Stacey charmed Max and revealed her saucy underwear. The pair were nearly caught when Abi was about to walk into the living room. But Max got there just before she managed to open the door. Max and Stacey carried on with their secret affair with Max still lying to his family.

It was around this time that Tanya announced to Max that she was pregnant and Max became more determined to save his marriage. Tanya was unsure about the future of their marriage and was considering having an abortion. That was until he told Tanya about a childhood incident when, as a result of a practical joke by Jim that had gone wrong, he was locked in a coffin overnight. After an emotional conversation Tanya decided to keep the baby, however Max convinced her to keep it a secret.

When Stacey demanded that Max told Tanya about the affair, Max went on holiday in Spain with Tanya and the kids, leaving Stacey instead. Bradley later told Stacey that Max had informed him over the phone that they had found a villa in Spain that they had all fallen in love with and may decide to move there permanently.

During Max's absence from the Square, Bradley and Stacey once again grew close, and decided to give their relationship another try. Bradley had decided to propose to Stacey in the Square one night and just as he proposed to her, Stacey saw a light come on in the Branning house. Max was back.

Stacey agreed to Bradley's proposal, and took great pleasure in informing the newly returned Max that their affair was over and she was now marrying his son. Max became angry and suggested that Stacey only accepted Bradley's proposal as an excuse to end their affair.

Stacey had indeed been very enthusiastic about marrying Bradley as soon as possible, pushing him to set a date with an unclear motive for doing so. But Max told her that her marriage to his son changes nothing and that things are far from over between them.

Max initially tried everything he could to break up Bradley and Stacey, he first tried to convince Bradley that Stacey wasn't good enough for him, then he tried to get Bradley's step-grandmother Dot Branning on his side by playing on her fears regarding the history of mental illness in Stacey's family. However, when none of his plans came to fruition, Max had a dramatic u-turn and agreed to pay for Bradley and Stacey's wedding in full, causing Stacey to become suspicious of what he was up to.

When Bradley informed Stacey that he was going to ask Max to be his best man, Stacey angrily confronted Max and made him promise not to accept Bradley's offer. Much to Max's discomfort, he was forced to turn down Bradley's initial offer whilst they were having a drink in the Queen Vic.

After Stacey

On Stacey's hen night, Max followed Stacey out into the square gardens, where he told Stacey he loved her. He tried to convince her not to marry Bradley, but Stacey was adamant. She left Max alone. However they were being watched by Stacey's brother Sean, who had heard everything.

On the morning of Bradley and Stacey's wedding, Sean confessed he knew about the affair and punched Max. Max tried to make it sound as though it was a fling, but Stacey confessed everything. Sean then told Max some home truths. However, although furious, did agree to keep quiet after much persuasion from Stacey.

After Bradley and Stacey were married, Max still felt uncomfortable. He still didn't want Stacey to marry Bradley, and when the pair kissed in the church, he looked on in jealousy. After a party to celebrate the marriage in the Vic’, Stacey went to Max's house to get ready for the honeymoon, but she couldn't get her dress undone. Max came in and slowly unzipped the back of her dress. He flirted with her, and told Stacey that he still loved her. The pair then passionately kissed, but Stacey pulled away saying that she couldn't love Max because she loved Bradley. They were both unaware that Lauren's video camera was sitting on the shelf recording the whole thing.

Max has since got over Stacey, and the pair built up a friendship. When the newlyweds returned, Max had given them a wedding gift; the keys to 1c Albert Square, which had been vacant for some time.

On 14 December 2007, Max was blessed with a son, Oscar Branning. He told Stacey that he was happy. is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Max adores his children, and when he found out that his eldest daughter, Lauren, was dating Peter Beale, he became very protective. He told Tanya that he was fine with their relationship, but he still went round to poor Peter's house and threatened him to treat his daughter right. When Lauren found out, she was horrified, but deep down, se knew that he only did it because he loves her.

On Christmas day, Max and Tanya aprepared to enjoy a family Christmas lunch. They had invited the Brannings' and the Slaters'. After having lunch, Max dressed up as Father Christmas, and started handing out presents to everyone. He handed Bradley the wedding video. Lauren tried to stop him but Stacey insisted that she wanted to see it. The families settled down to watch the wedding video. They then saw the clip of Max telling Stacey he stilled loved her. Max asked Bradley for the remote in a desperate attempt to stop the tape. Bradley however refused.

Everyone looked on horrified as they saw Max and Stacey kiss, and heard Max making sure that Stacey was happy with her choice but at the same time, trying to show her what she will miss now she is with Bradley. Stacey looked on trying to hold the tears back. Max tried to make it look as though it was a joke. Tanya asked Max to play the tape again, but he didn't. Stacey then apologised to Bradley. Bradley attacked Max and pushed him into the Christmas tree. Max apologised profusely. Bradley, in a fit of rage, left the house. Max attempted to apologise to Tanya, but Tanya was in shock at her husband's betrayal. Max went looking for Bradley. He asked Dot Branning where he was. In disgust Dot refused to cooperate saying he was nothing but trouble. Max finally found Bradley in the pub. Bradley shouted at Max, embarrassing himself in front of everyone. Max followed Bradley home continuing to apologise to him but Bradley told him to get out. Dorothy Dot Branning (née Colwell; previously Cotton) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

Max then returned home to Tanya who told him that she and the kids were leaving him. Max tried desperately to stop her resulting in tussle at the top of the stairs. Seconds later Tanya fell down them. Max looked on in shock.

Luckily, Tanya recovered almost immediately. However, their marriage did not as Tanya decided to throw him out instead. She then changed the lock on the door and made it near impossible for him to see his children. He managed to see Abi and Oscar again but without Tanya's consent. This caused more harm than good, especially for Abi.

When he discovered that Tanya was seeing Sean, Max didn't seem overly bothered. He told Sean that Tanya was using him to get back at her husband, although this would seem to have been just an attempt by Max to wind up Sean.

During a court session regarding the divorce to Tanya, Max wound Tanya up, causing her to lash out and call him a bastard. The session was to be done another date due to this. Max started talking to the colleague of Tanya's solicitor and invited her to lunch. The following day they arrived back in the Square in the back of a Taxi Cab and were seen kissing by Tanya. Tanya informed Harriet telling her of what she has seen Max doing.

Tanya's revenge

Max begged for another chance with Tanya and she finally let him move back in. She said to Sean it was for revenge. Her plan to get Max to sign everything he owns over to her backfired when she discovered the legal forms ripped up in Max's briefcase. Tanya then begged Sean to help her kill Max. Sean eventually agreed to help.

Tanya prepared a meal for them to celebrate the restarting of their relationship. She drugged Max's wine with crushed up sleeping pills. During the meal Max begins to doubt Tanya's honesty and they argue. Finally Tanya, realising the drugs are taking effect, insinuates she wants him to die just as Max collapses. Sean drags him into his van and they drive to some woods where, per Tanya's instructions, he's already dug a whole and placed an open coffin inside. Max is dragged to the coffin, however Tanya insists Sean doesn't kill him before placing the lid on it. As he does, a car is seen in the distance and Sean goes to make sure they've left the area. Max begins to wake up and asks Tanya what's happening and she reveals her true feelings to him and her intention to lock him inside a coffin as happened to him when he was a child. He pleas for Tanya not to go ahead, referring to the children and how upset they will be. Tanya immediately dismisses this and says that he'll have time to think about what he's done to her. Finally, she simply says "Goodbye Max" as she pushes the coffin lid over him.

Family

• Father: Jim Branning
• Mother: Reenie Branning (deceased)
• Brothers: Derek Branning, Jack Branning
• Sisters: Carol Jackson, April Branning, Sue Branning
• Wife: Tanya Branning
• Sons: Bradley Branning, Oscar Branning
• Daughters: Lauren Branning, Abi Branning
• Nephews: Robbie Jackson, Billy Jackson
• Nieces: Bianca Jackson, Sonia Fowler, Penny Branning
• Great nephews: Liam Butcher, Morgan Jackson-King
• Great nieces: Natasha Butcher (deceased), Rebecca Miller, Tiffany Dean
• Cousin: Gordon Branning,

James Archibald Jim Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Doreen Reenie Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Derek Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Jack Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Carol Jackson (née Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... April Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Sue Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Tanya Branning (nee: Cross) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Bradley Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Lauren Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Abigail Abi Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Robert Robbie Jackson (born Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Billy Jackson (born 1995) is the first son of film director Peter Jackson and his wife, screenwriter and producer Fran Walsh. ... Bianca Jackson (née Branning, previously Butcher) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Patsy Palmer. ... Sonia Ann Fowler (née Branning; previously Jackson)[1] was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Liam Butcher is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Rebecca Chloe Miller (née Chloe Jackson) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

References

External links

• Max Branning at bbc.co.uk
• Max Branning joins EastEnders