EastEnders boss hints at explosive Slater storyline amid Tanya Branning 'return'

EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey has promised viewers an explosive autumn in Walford, teasing big drama across the Square. “This week kicks off a really big autumn for us,” he said. “There’s lots ahead for lots of different families.”

He revealed Joel’s long-running storyline on incel behaviour will finally reach a dramatic climax in the coming months, while the tangled lives of Lauren, Peter and youngOscar Branning are about to bring even more fireworks. But it’s the Slaters who are set to dominate screens, as Zoe makes her shock return to Albert Square.

“Zoe and Kat’s relationship is complicated,” Ben explained. “There’s 20 years of history for them to work through. Kat’s been expecting one thing, but meeting your adult daughter is far more complex than she imagines.”

READ MORE: EastEnders' Jacqueline Jossa reveals real reason behind Jake Wood's explosive return

WithZoe hiding secrets of her own, tensions will rise in true EastEnders style. “There’s a lot for them to understand about each other,” he teased. “Zoe is bringing plenty with her – and the Slaters are in for a whole ride this autumn.”

Thursday's (September 4) flashbacks revealed the pair's first encounter in a pub, where Max offered Zoe financial assistance during her darkest hour, setting the stage for even more drama in the present day.

Discussing what viewers can anticipate following this massive revelation, Ben hinted: "You've got the Brannings to discover [their relationship], you've got the rest of the Slaters to discover, what's Stacey gonna think? It's this bomb that's going to just blow."

"Max is a brilliant character and Jake is such an incredible performer, but the whole Branning family are a legacy family and I wanted to put them at the heart of the show," he added.

"There's plenty of drama ahead, and I think because the Brannings have so many connections to the other amazing families as well, it brings in a lot of other characters," Ben continued.

"Max has got a lot of history and there's a lot of secrets Max doesn't know that other characters, including his own family, do know – and secrets tend to have a way of coming out in Walford at the wrong times."

Rumours are also swirling about a potential return for Tanya Branning. Exec producer Ben teased: “Yeah, I mean, Jo [Joyner] is amazing, isn’t she, such a good actress, and we’ve also got an amazing cast, but right now we have a huge cast of brilliant performers that all deserve and need stories, so you know we need a bit of naughty Max first, don’t we?”

Scott Maslen, who plays Jack Branning, added: “We need him back for a while, and then Jo to come and sort the rest of them out. Yeah, you [Jake Wood] need to cause enough trouble, but we have her on our wish list.”

Jake Wood chipped in with a grin: "We are texting her!" suggesting fans could be seeing Tanya back in Walford sooner rather than later.

Wednesday's (3 September) episode ended on a cliffhanger as Max's return began. Since Michelle Ryan's Zoe came back, her dark secrets have threatened to catch up with her and she's made it clear that someone is after her.

After she's shot, her phone is answered by a worried Kat. While Kat never learns whose on the end of the phone, viewers discovered it was Max.

In another episode, the soap dived into Max and Zoe's past, revealing a romantic relationship between the two and it is this that will bring him back to Walford. While fans wait for the inevitable drama that will come with his return - especially given brother Jack's involvement in Zoe's shooting - some have pointed out that it is very typical of Max to come back for a girl, a Slater no less, rather than his struggling children.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and Threads.