The Branning family on EastEnders has fallen, but the iconic family’s troubles might not be over just yet.
The Carters, Slaters, Beales, Mitchells, and most recently, the Panesars, are some of the prominent families in Albert Square. The Brannings were one of them, with Max (Jake Wood), Tanya (Jo Joyner), Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) relocating to Walford for the first time in 2006. Since then, the once-reliable Branning family has contributed significantly to the gripping drama of the BBC soap opera throughout their reign.
The Brannings have never been far from trouble, from Max’s relationship with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), which was made public on Christmas Day, to Tanya burying her ex-husband and Abi’s fatal fall from the roof of the Queen Vic.
But over time, the Brannings’ presence on the square has gradually diminished, with Jack Branning being the last living immediate relative (Scott Masden).
Sadly, Dot Branning (June Brown), also known as Dot Cotton, passed away earlier this month, prompting many well-known people to visit Walford to pay their respects.
Lauren, Dot’s stepgranddaughter, was one of them and had flown in from New Zealand for the funeral.
At the wake, Lauren was seen catching up with Uncle Jack and disclosing what her dad has been up to lately.
It doesn’t appear that Max has changed at all since leaving EastEnders because, according to the 30-year-old, he was secretly seeing her best friend behind her back.
Fans found it intriguing to see that even though the Brannings had all left the square, things were still going on with them.
Actress Jacqueline Jossa, however, believes that the famous family may still survive for a while.
Jossa teased Express.co.uk and other media during a Q&A session: “She’s [Lauren] popping in, seeing old friends.
“I think she’s there to show people that the Brannings still have a future and that there is hope,” says the speaker.
Therefore, is it possible that the Branning family will return to Albert Square in the coming year?
Jossa has already made one return to the soap opera, so it seems likely that she would make more appearances on EastEnders.
Unbeknownst to Max, Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) daughter Annie is his child.
He will undoubtedly learn about it and come back to Walford to meet her and possibly try to restart his romance with Linda. She and Jack have managed to keep this a secret from him.
Tanya moved to Exeter to begin a new life, but since she is still alive, there is a chance that she will return.
And since Jack is still a resident there, he might be the factor that prompts any of them to return.
At the beginning of December, Lauren returned to Albert Square as a result of Dot’s funeral.
Not only was the episode made as a tribute to Dot, but also to June Brown, the actress, as well.
She passed away in her Surrey home earlier this year, surrounded by family.
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