EastEnders fans are claiming that they’ve ‘worked out’ Max Branning’s unlikely connection to Joel as they remain divided over a huge Zoe Slater theory.
Back when Michelle Ryan returned to the programme in June, Zoe teased that she did something ‘really bad’ during her 20 years away from Albert Square.
In the same episode, Zoe reappeared, wayward teenager Joel Marshall mentioned his mother to Tommy for the first time.
Played by Max Murray, Joel joined the BBC soap in March alongside his dad Ross Marshall and his partner Vicki Fowler.
It quickly became clear that Joel was troubled, en
On top of filming himself having sex with Avani Nandra-Hart without her consent, Joel assaulted a young woman on the train in an attempt to try to impress Tommy Moon.
Scenes aired this week saw Ross discover the horrific video of the tube assault, as well as explicit photos on Joel’s laptop.
On top of this Joel entered a feud with Kat and Stacey Slater after making two derogatory comments about them in the Queen Vic.
Joel’s recent exploits arrive after he was informed that his mum, who is apparently called Cleo, is getting remarried.
With Max Branning actor Jake Wood’s return recently confirmed, fans on the EastEnders Reddit page are convinced that Max is going to be back in Walford, a married man.
@Public_Form9890 said: “The speculation around Joel’s mum and who she might be. I’ve seen Zoe Slater come up and I just don’t see it, also, we may have her name being Cleo? Anyway, I’m putting my bet in, Patrick style, Joel’s mum is marrying Max Branning.” @13bat added: “I like this theory! I can easily imagine Max marrying again. I definitely don’t think it’s Zoe.”
@theofficialstriker wrote: “I think she’s a completely new character but she’ll come onto the square with Max later in the year which will probably trigger Joel to go even further than he has before.”
@BigDee_1996 commented: “I find it hard to believe that it be Zoe because surely Ross would have known Zoe some of her past and would have told Vicky who he was last with.” @horsepowerwagon8 pointed out: “It must be though because he’s angered Kat so it’ll be worse when she’s his grandmother. Ugh. I am tired of it already.”
Viewers last saw the 52-year-old actor Jake as Max in 2021 when Linda Carter decided to get back together with Mick Carter after their affair.
Max is best known for his infamous cheating scandal with Stacey, who was married to his son Bradley Branning, who later died in a live episode
