BBC EastEnders has unveiled an exciting new development: a special one-off ‘flashforward’ episode set in the year 2027. This unique installment promises viewers an intriguing glimpse into the dramatic twists awaiting the residents of Walford.
Scheduled to air on BBC1 on New Year’s Day 2026, the 30-minute episode centers on Max Branning, portrayed by Jake Wood, as he navigates a pivotal moment exactly one year ahead of the present timeline. Max finds himself at the heart of a complex situation with far-reaching consequences for himself and his family.
The episode is packed with simultaneous storylines unfolding around Max, revealing that 2026 holds many hidden secrets poised to shape the characters’ futures. Producers emphasize that this flashforward will tease upcoming developments and provide clues about the challenges Max and his loved ones will face in the coming year.
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EastEnders' executive producer Ben Wadey commented: “For the first time in the show’s history, we’re offering our viewers an entire flashforward episode set on New Year’s Day 2027. 2026 will bring plenty of drama to Walford, particularly for the Brannings. This episode will raise lots of questions about how Max and his family have landed in difficult predicaments—but things aren’t always as they seem. Stay tuned to find out how and why.”
This isn’t EastEnders' first foray into flashforward storytelling. In February 2023, the show aired a flashforward scene linked to the 2023 Christmas Day storyline, featuring characters like Linda Carter, Suki Panesar, Kathy Beale, Stacey Slater, Denise Fox, and Sharon Watts gathered around an unidentified dead body, later revealed to be Keanu Taylor. That moment launched the compelling ‘The Six’ storyline.
Jake Wood first brought Max Branning to life in Walford in June 2006, introducing the character alongside his then-wife Tanya and their daughters Lauren and Abi. Although Max exited the show in 2021 following an affair storyline, he returned earlier this year, setting the stage for the events in this upcoming flashforward episode.