The flash forward – which saw the storyline skyrocket exactly one year into the future to Max Branning's (Jake Wood) doomed wedding day – teased us to whet our appetite, but left us with more questions than answers.
Luckily for you, RadioTimes.com has a full rundown of 10 explosive storylines ahead over the next 12 months in our huge plot preview…
1. Chrissie Watts caught or Zoe Slater jailed for life?
After revealing herself as the puppet mistress behind Zoe Slater’s (Michelle Ryan) stalking and the manipulation of Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), Dirty Den’s killer walked free.
Did Chrissie really deliver the fatal blow to Dr Trueman? Tracy-Ann Oberman recently hinted at a return to Walford in a cryptic social media post alongside new cast member Ronni Ancona (more of her anon), so it seems Chrissie’s reign of terror is not over yet. So where does that leave Jasmine?
2. Jasmine Fisher shows her true colours
Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) doesn’t trust her to the point where the girl’s presence has triggered a bipolar episode, but Jasmine’s behaviour starts to raise suspicions in the coming weeks.
Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) clashes with his granddaughter and becomes suspicious of her true nature. Is he right to be concerned?
3. Joel Marshall returns for trial drama and love triangle for Vicki Fowler
Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) was beaten and left for dead by her sick stepson, and when Ross Marshall (Alex Marshall) reported his son’s attack to the police, Joel was put in a remand centre.
EastEnders’ executive producer Ben Wadey has confirmed the character returns in 2026 for the next chapter of the story: “We will see Joel again as we have his trial coming up, where he faces the consequences of his actions.
Vicki’s eye has also been wandering slightly towards Zack Hudson (James Farrar), so we’ve got a big soapy love triangle in the mix in the new year.
Will justice catch up with Joel, and can Vicki and Zack resist their attraction?
4. Ravi Gulati’s revenge nightmare
While Ravi has vowed to turn over a new leaf, Harry can’t forget how the bad boy got him hooked on drugs and put BFF Kojo in danger…
“Ravi must face up to the awful things he’s done,” reveals Wadey. “What this starts to do to his psyche and his family, plus a revenge plot from Harry, kicks things off for him this new year.”
Nugget is now in a coma following the violent outburst. Will he be OK?
And let’s not forget Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) is putting the pressure on Ravi after forcing him to work as a police informant in exchange for his freedom…
5. A tearful goodbye to Nigel Bates
"Those relationships see us through further into this year.”
Having refused to put his friend in a care home, Phil now plans to take Nigel abroad to enjoy his final days – but what will Nigel’s wife Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) say? That’s if Phil even tells her…
6. Max Branning and Cindy Beale’s dangerous year
Many questions were raised in the ambitious episode, and even though we’ll have to wait 51 weeks for all the answers, it’s clear Max is going to make some questionable choices.
“Max promises he is a reformed character,” says Wadey. “Is he going to be to hold that up? Flash forward a year and look at the chaos that has ensued: he’s arrested, getting married, got a woman pregnant. Is Max always going to be the womaniser, or can he be redeemed?”
Could Cindy be the key to Max’s downfall, finally getting revenge for him being responsible for her son Steven’s death?
7. Bea Pollard’s big secret
Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) old school friend will settle in the Square when she takes a room at Peacock Palace, alongside Mr Branning, whom she takes something of a shine to. Sadly, he’s just not that into her – but the unpredictable Bea is not the kind of girl to take no for an answer!
“Bea attaches herself to people,” warns Wadey. “She reacquaints herself with Linda, but Billy Mitchell and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) also become involved with the story. Ronni brings a unique tone to the story; it has a tragi-comedy coming through it and will make you laugh and cry.”
8. A number of baby mysteries in Albert Square
Max’s bit on the side, whoever she may be, is not the only one set to hear the patter of tiny feet – there was also a newborn in the Branning household, but who is little Ethan’s father?
Nicola is also expecting lover George Knight’s (Colin Salmon) child, and even though the couple seemed very together in our glimpse of 2027, there was no mention of a baby. Will Nic’s pregnancy continue or end in tragedy?
9. George Knight’s new start - can he trust Nicola Mitchell?
Elaine, Linda and Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) are running the swanky B&B Peacock’s Palace, Junior Knight and Anna Knight (Micah Balfour and Molly Rainford) have both left the country, and Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) is pulling pints at Harry’s Barn.
Vowing to support baby mama Nicola, George plans to buy the Walford East restaurant. Running the eatery didn’t go so well for the cursed Panesar clan. Is George biting off more than he can chew? And can he and drama-magnet Nic go the distance?
10. Will Eve and Suki Panesar-Unwin become parents?
While 2025 served up some challenging drama for the much-loved partnership, Suki and Eve (Balvinder Sopal and Heather Peace) remain strong and are hoping for more joy than chaos in the coming year as they double down on their plans to adopt.
Read More:
EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?21 EastEnders questions we have following that epic Max Branning flashforward episodeEastEnders fans spot major clue to 'reveal' mysterious man from flashforward episodeEastEnders star hints at villain's return with social media post alongside new cast memberEastEnders boss teases "tragedy comedy" 2026 story with newcomer Bea – and it involves a beloved Walford coupleEastEnders confirms Ravi Gulati will face a revenge plot - along with a mental health story for Walford villainEastEnders boss teases love triangle scenes for Vicki Fowler as disturbed Joel Marshall finally goes to trial in 2026Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Hence then, the article about eastenders 2026 preview 10 spoilers for the year ahead from max branning twists to sukeve adoption was published today ( ) and is available on Radio Times ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( EastEnders 2026 preview: 10 spoilers for the year ahead from Max Branning twists to Sukeve adoption )
Also on site :