In 2008, Max became central to a whodunit storyline that saw him being run over by a mystery assailant who was eventually revealed to be his daughter Lauren (Madeline Duggan). He has also had to come to terms with the death of his son Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements), being framed for attempted murder by Carl White (Daniel Coonan) and his girlfriend Emma's death. In October 2015, Max was wrongly convicted for Lucy Beale's murder, the true murderer was later revealed to be her younger half-brother Bobby (Eliot Carrington). After his release from prison, Max became the show's central antagonist as he sought revenge against Ian and Phil along with everyone else – including his own family – who saw him wrongfully imprisoned, by conspiring with James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde) in his nefarious scheme to redevelop Albert Square.
Max Branning Highlights! | EastEnders
The Best of Max Branning | EastEnders
Max Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by the actor Jake Wood.
Throughout the events of his revenge storyline, Max arranged for Jack to lose custody over his stepson Matthew Mitchell-Cotton; framed Phil's rival Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) for drug dealing, resulting in his arrest; blackmailed and later caused the death of Ian's stepson Steven; and forced Jane to leave Walford under the threat of having Bobby harmed in prison. The storyline ultimately concluded with Max attempting to commit suicide after his plan for revenge had failed, but this ended with both his daughters Lauren and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) accidentally falling off the roof from The Queen Victoria public house when they attempted to stop their father; Lauren survived the fall whilst Abi died. A couple of months later in 2018, Max married Tanya's sister Rainie in his bid to help win his custody case over Abi's daughter.
Madeline Elizabeth Duggan (born 28th June 1994) is a British actress, known for her portrayal of Lauren Branning in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2006 to 2010.
Bradley Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Charlie Clements. He made his first appearance on screen on 24th January 2006 and last appeared on 22 February 2010 after he was killed off in the show's 25th anniversary. Clements won multiple awards for his portrayal.
Carl White is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Daniel Coonan.
Eliot Carrington was born 14th August 2002. He is an English actor, who was the fourth actor to appear as Bobby Beale in EastEnders from 25 November 2014 to 19 October 2017 when his character was sent to prison for the murder of Lucy Beale.
James Willmott-Brown (also credited as Willmott-Brown and Mr Willmott-Brown) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by William Boyde. The character originally appeared in Albert Square from 1986 to 1989, where he established the square's second pub – "The Dagmar" – and instigated a feud with his business rival Den Watts (Leslie Grantham). Willmott-Brown then developed a romantic obsession with his employee Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), which sparked the events of the character raping her in 1988.
Matthew Cotton (previously Mitchell-Cotton) is the son of Charlie Cotton and Ronnie Branning, brother of Danielle and James, nephew of Roxy and cousin of Amy; as well as grandson of Nick and Yvonne Cotton alongside Archie and Glenda Mitchell.
Abi Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lorna Fitzgerald. She was introduced by executive producer Kate Harwood on 3 July 2006 as an extension to the Branning family, along with father Max (Jake Wood), mother Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) and older sister Lauren Branning (Madeline Duggan/Jacqueline Jossa). Her storylines involve her friendships and relationships with Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones/Joshua Pascoe/Harry Reid) and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), her toxic friendship with Babe Smith (Annette Badland), faking a pregnancy so that Ben would not leave her for Paul Coker (Jonny Labey), being a suspect in the murder of Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater), her affair with Lauren's fiancé, Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell), and falling pregnant by him.
Aunt Babe.
Tina Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by Luisa Bradshaw-White. She first appeared on 18th November 2013, and was introduced as the sister of established character Shirley Carter (Linda Henry). She was the first of a set of new characters that expanded the Carter family in 2013, created by incoming executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins (although Tina was introduced by Lorraine Newman, a month prior to Treadwell-Collins taking over the executive producer role).
Babe Smith (also known as Aunt Babe) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by Annette Badland. She first appeared in episode 4796 of the show, originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2014, and was introduced as the maternal aunt of established characters Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White). She was introduced as part of a set of new characters that expanded the Carter family across 2013 and 2014, headed by executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins. Aunt Babe's casting was announced on 12 December 2013.
Rainie Highway (also Cross and Branning) is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, played by Tanya Franks. Rainie's been round the block and back again. Sly, manipulative and ruthless, Rainie struggled with everything - family, men and drug addiction. She was a thorn in her sister's side - she would beg, borrow and steal to fuel her heroin addiction. Selfish, and frequently self-pitying, Rainie was quick to point the finger of blame at Tanya and her mum Cora, rather than take responsibility for her actions.
Tina Carter is a fictional character played by actress Luisa Bradshaw-White.
EastEnders - Max Stands Up To Willmott-Brown (26th October 2017)
EastEnders - Max Stands Up To Willmott-Brown (26th October 2017)
EastEnders - Max Branning Blames His Family & Threatens Them (7th December 2017)
EastEnders - Max Branning Blames His Family & Threatens Them (7th December 2017)
EastEnders - Mick Carter Vs. Max Branning (23rd May 2017)
EastEnders - Mick Carter Vs. Max Branning (23rd May 2017)
Mick Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Danny Dyer.
Mick's storylines have included overcoming his fear of water, taking the blame for soliciting after being arrested, the discovery that Shirley is not his sister but actually his mother, coping with Linda's rape by his brother Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), the death of his grandfather Stan Carter (Timothy West) from terminal cancer, becoming a father to Ollie Carter, blaming Nancy when Ollie is seriously injured during a fight between her and Lee, discovering that Lee instigated a robbery at The Queen Vic, ongoing financial issues and developing feelings for his daughter-in-law, Whitney Carter (Shona McGarty).
EastEnders - Max Branning Blackmails Phil Mitchell and Sharon Watts (16th February 2021)
EastEnders - Max Branning Blackmails Phil Mitchell and Sharon Watts (16th February 2021)
EastEnders - Stacey Fowler Discovers Max Branning Killed Steven (25th December 2017)
EastEnders - Stacey Fowler Discovers Max Branning Killed Steven (25th December 2017)
The character's conception was a part of one of the most notable storylines in EastEnders during 1989, a love triangle between Cindy Williams (played by Michelle Collins), Simon Wicks (played by Nick Berry) and Ian Beale (played by Adam Woodyatt). Steven was the result of a one-night stand (in the bar of The Queen Victoria public house) between Cindy and Simon, occurring while Cindy was engaged to Ian Beale in May 1989. Viewers knew that Cindy was carrying Simon's child; however, between characters in the serial, Steven's true paternity was kept secret, with only Cindy, Simon, and later Simon's mother Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement) knowing the truth, though neither Simon or Pat would believe Cindy's claim initially. Simon's rejection of Cindy and her unborn child facilitated a plot twist that saw Cindy pretend that the child was Ian's.
Steven Beale played by Aaron Sidwell.
Abi and Lauren Fall from the Queen Vic | EastEnders
Abi and Lauren Fall from the Queen Vic
Steven Beale Dies | EastEnders
Steven Beale Dies | EastEnders
Lauren Stops Steven's Funeral | EastEnders
EastEnders - Max Attacks Steven & Leaves Jane to Die in the Fire (7th September 2017)
EastEnders - Max Attacks Steven & Leaves Jane to Die in the Fire (7th September 2017)
Lauren Stops Steven's Funeral | EastEnders
In the action-packed episode, Steven (Aaron Sidwell) burst into the Queen Vic and told Max (Jake Wood) that Jane (Laurie Brett) had been dealt with. Her stepson Stephen and Max Branning plotted her demise after she found out about their schemes. Steven set the fire to finish Jane off, but he ended up dying from his injuries after getting trapped in the blaze, while Jane survived. She spent weeks in hospital recovering before finally waking up. But her ordeal is far from over as she has remembered who was behind the murder plot. Jane was shocked when she had a terrifying flashback and she realised Max is the mastermind behind her near-death experience
The next storyline (Not in chronological order) centres around popular characters Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) and their chaotic relationship. In the episodes, Tanya attempted to murder her husband after discovering his affair with his daughter-in-law, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). Graphic scenes throughout the episodes would show Tanya tampering with Max's drink and then driving him to Epping Forest. Her and Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) then worked together to bury him in a coffin before he regained consciousness and discovered that his life was in grave danger.
Tanya Drugs Max (21st March 2008)
Tanya Drugs Max (21st March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 1 (21st March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 1 (21st March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 2 (21st March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 2 (21st March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 3 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 3 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 4 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 4 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 5 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 5 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 6 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 6 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 7 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 7 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 8 (24th March 2008)
Max Is Buried Alive By Tanya & Sean - Part 8 (24th March 2008)
Born in Ireland, Eddie came to Britain with his parents as a boy. Bright and energetic, he couldn't wait to join the police force and when he did, he loved his job, priding himself on being an honest copper. However Eddie encountered corrupt practices in the force, so he took early retirement and decided to start afresh in Walford.
Eddie arrives in Walford in July 1990, as the new landlord of The Queen Victoria public house, which he buys from Frank Butcher (Mike Reid). He is a serious minded landlord, far different from his predecessors Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) and Frank. Not everyone takes to him, particularly when they discover his prior profession. Eddie doesn't really have any real friends in Albert Square, but his father John (Paddy Joyce), often turns up in Walford to keep his son company. Whilst being landlord at the pub, Eddie rents a room to his barmaid Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). Although he never approves of her relationship with the local thug, Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), and this often makes things awkward between the pair.
Michael Melia (born 1945) is a British actor best known for his work on television. He appeared as Queen Vic landlord Eddie Royle in BBC One soap opera EastEnders between 1990 and 1991.
Paddy Joyce appeared in nearly 90 film and television productions, and played Tommy Deakin on the British soap opera Coronation Street (1968–74). In his later years he also played John Royle in another long-running British soap opera, EastEnders (1990–91, 1993).
Phil Mitchell is Grant Mitchells brother..
Grant Mitchell often displayed laddish, thrill-seeking behaviour; drinking, chasing women, clubbing, gambling and living off of his wits. He became restless easily and actively sought the thrill of danger in order to regain excitement in his life, which led to his participation in numerous crimes, fights and affairs. Grant showed impulsive behaviour, a disregard for social rules and an indifference to the feelings of others, particularly the women in his life. He was often portrayed as arrogant and egotistical, with an inflated opinion of his own importance. Because of this, he rarely admitted to being at fault or backed down from an argument. While the character mellowed in his later years, such behaviour was still apparent. However he is not completely without showing rare signs of compassion. An example of this was that he was one of the few people who offered support to Mark Fowler when he was isolated by the rest of Albert Square (led ironically by Grant's mother, Peggy), because of his HIV illness. Another was that he went to console Nigel Bates after his wife, Debbie, was killed in a road accident.
Eddie Royle is murdered part 1 - EastEnders - BBC
Eddie Royle is murdered part 1 - EastEnders - BBC
Eddie Royle is murdered part 2 -EastEnders - BBC
Eddie Royle is murdered part 2 -EastEnders - BBC
Eibhlin O'Donnell made her first appearance 22 January 1991. She is portrayed by Mary Conlon.
Eddie cannot forgive Grant for his violent assault and so he contacts an old police colleague to check up on Grant's dodgy dealings. However, Sharon discovers what is going on and manages to remove some dodgy packages from Grant's garage before the police arrive. Eddie is furious, and is even more enraged when he discovers that she'd agreed to marry Grant, so he sacks her. Although Sharon successfully sues him for unfair dismissal, Eddie refuses to give her job back to her. In August 1991 Eibhlin moves in with Eddie. Meanwhile, Eddie begins coaching Clyde Tavernier (Steven Woodcock) in boxing and that same month he is approached by an old friend, who is coaching Clyde's upcoming opponent. He and Eddie try to bribe Clyde to purposefully lose the fight in a betting scam, which causes a blazing row between Clyde and Eddie. Grant's rage towards Eddie also resurfaces when he discovers that it was he who had tipped him off to the police about his shady dealings. This further alienates the community and it seems that everyone in Walford has something against Eddie.
Eddie never married as a policeman, however, in Walford, he decides he needs a mate. He patiently pursues Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), but she sees him kissing Eibhlin O'Donnell (Mary Conlon), who is his former girlfriend visiting from Ireland. Kathy refuses to accept his explanations and so their lukewarm romance ends. In April 1991, when Sharon seems to be opening her heart to him and is fed up with Grant, he rashly offers himself as a replacement, but is rejected. When Grant finds out, he beats him up so badly that he is hospitalised and needs brain surgery. Whilst recovering, he receives another visit from Eibhlin. He ends up proposing marriage and she accepts.
Fire at the Queen Vic | EastEnders
Fire at the Queen Vic | EastEnders
Who stabbed Eddie Royle? - EastEnders - BBC
Who stabbed Eddie Royle? - EastEnders - BBC
In September 1991, while Eddie is taking his pet poodle, Roly, for an evening walk he is stabbed to death. Clyde Tavernier discovers his bloody body in the Square, and after foolishly picking up the murder weapon, he flees in panic. Unfortunately for Clyde, there is a witness who had seen him standing over Eddie's body and fleeing the scene – Nick Cotton (John Altman). Clyde is arrested for Eddie's murder and imprisoned. However, a second witness, Joe Wallace (Jason Rush), later comes forward to attest that he had seen Nick Cotton in the vicinity on the night of the murder. It turns out that Nick was attempting a robbery when Eddie saw him, and to silence him, Nick stabbed him. Clyde is released and Nick is arrested for the murder, but surprisingly he is found 'not guilty' at the trial in 1993, as there is not enough evidence to convict.
Clyde Tavernier is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steven Woodcock. Clyde was the first-born son to Etta and Celestine Tavernier (Jacqui Gordon-Lawrence and Leroy Golding). After his birth in Trinidad in 1968, his family moved to the UK. Growing up in London, Clyde was subject to racism and police harassment, which made him angry and somewhat bitter. In adulthood, Clyde struggled to find direction. He lazed around, did odd jobs, and took up boxing. Clyde met a woman named Abigail Chadwick and they had a child together, a son named Kofi (Marcel Smith),. Clyde and Abigail split up and Kofi was taken to Bristol by his mother to live with his grandparents. When Abigail was killed in a car crash, it was agreed that Kofi would remain living with his maternal grandparents.
Dr. May Wright (often referred to by the media as "Mad May") is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Amanda Drew. May appears in the series between 25 September 2006 and 25 June 2007, and again between 6 and 18 June 2008, when she is killed off. Her storylines include the breakdown of her marriage to Rob Minter (Stuart Laing) and attempted kidnap of Summer Swann, daughter of Rob and Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon), all of which led to her eventual suicide when she causes a gas explosion.
EastEnders - Mad May Wright Attacks Mickey Miller With A Crowbar (18th June 2008)
EastEnders - Mad May Wright Attacks Mickey Miller With A Crowbar (18th June 2008)
EastEnders - Mad May Wright Blows Up The Miller House - The Miller House Explosion (18th June 2008)
EastEnders - Mad May Wright Blows Up The Miller House - The Miller House Explosion (18th June 2008)
EastEnders - Mad May Wright Vs. Dawn Swann (18th June 2008)
EastEnders - Mad May Wright Vs. Dawn Swann (18th June 2008)
In preparing for her role as May, Amanda Drew met a female GP, to learn the structure of May's daily routine. She read up on IVF, consulting people who had undergone the procedure to gain insight into May's state of mind.
Dawn and May Argue Over Rob | EastEnders | BBC
Dawn and May Argue Over Rob | EastEnders | BBC
May's "deranged" personality earned her the nickname "Mad May" from the media. Amanda described the role as "a gift of a role for any actor because of her complexity." Commenting on the initial development of May's personality and motivations, Amanda explained: "When I initially met the producer and the storyline editor, we worked on May's characteristics and we created a 'super objective' for her - to fix things; which is why she became a doctor. She wants to help people and make everything right. So, in her personal life, if her 'super objective' is to fix things, then if a situation occurs where she can take control and sort it out, she will. But obviously under the influence of this emotional distress, she's following her 'super objective' to such a degree that she's acting out of all reason, away from her normal rational self and choosing to adopt the love child of her husband and his mistress. Anyone in their right mind would say 'that's crazy, that's never going to work'. Because of where she was when this situation hit her, those are the choices she made at the time. Unfortunately, because she is a driven woman, instead of doing a U-turn, she sets her sights on something and will pursue it."
EastEnders - Dawn and May
EastEnders - Dawn and May
Chantelle Atkins (also Baker), played by Jessica Plummer, is the daughter of Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) and Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths). Chantelle first appears in Episode 5891, originally broadcast on 26 March 2019. It was announced on 20 December 2018 that the character would be joining the series in 2019, when senior executive producer Kate Oates commented, "The Taylor family are set to be complete when Chantelle arrives in Walford and Chantelle certainly has that feisty Taylor streak. Things are set to get a whole lot louder in Walford in 2019."
Chantelle Atkins with Karen Taylor. Mitchell Ezekiel "Mitch" Baker is the father to Chantelle.
Eastenders - Gray’s Torture & Abuse of Chantelle Atkins (Full Story)
Eastenders - Gray’s Torture & Abuse of Chantelle Atkins (Full Story)
Chantelle Atkins 8th October 2019
Chantelle Atkins 8th October 2019
Please click on image above to find out everything about Chantelle Atkins in 146 segments..Toby-Alexander Smith (born 26 February 1991) is an English actor, known for portraying the role of Gray Atkins in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2019 to 2022.
Please click on the image above for a rundown on Chantelles death in 17 segments.