The drama isn't over for EastEnders' Max Branning as Jake Wood teases what's next for his character
Following his return to EastEnders after he was wrongfully imprisoned for killing Lucy Beale, we've seen Max manipulate his way throughout the square.
He tried to take over all the properties in Albert Square, he was well aware that Stephen Beale was lying about having a brain tumour but kept the secret from his daughter Lauren Branning, he left Jane Beale to die in the gas exposion and then forced her to flee Walford.
Oh and of course, it's his fault that his daughter's Lauren and Abi Branning were up on the Queen Vic on Christmas Day.
Despite Abi's unborn baby and Lauren surviving the dramatic fall, his youngest daughter was pronounced brain dead and the Branning's decided to turn off her life support machine.
Check out: Soap stars who have committed crimes in real life
Soap Stars Committed Crime - SLIDER with cover pic
Soap stars committed crime
Nick Pickard
Back in 2012 Hollyoaks' longest-serving actor Nick Pickard (who plays Tony Hutchinson) pleaded guilty to drink driving.After the actor was stopped by police, a blood test found that he was over the legal alcohol limit by 14 milligrams. He was then given a 12 month driving ban and fined £850. At the time his solicitor told the court: "He wishes to express his remorse and regret, and he acknowledges he made a grave error in judgement."He had consumed alcohol earlier that day. He thought the alcohol had gone from his system and he apologises."
Leslie Grantham
From 1967 to 1977 EastEnders star Leslie Grantham, who is best known as Dirty Den, served 10 years in prison for murder. The horrific incident took place after the actor tried to rob a taxi driver in Germany, following the altercation the driver died from a gunshot wound to his head. Despite denying any knowledge that there were bullets in the gun, he was found guilty of murder and send to prison. Surprisingly during his time in prison he acted in plays with other inmates and even became friends with his former EastEnders co-star Louise Jameson following her visits to the prison.After going on EastEnders, leaving and then returning again he was later involved in a sex scandal after a newspaper printed X-rated photos of the actor from his dressing room. Following his behaviour he released a statement and apologised, saying: "I am wholeheartedly ashamed of my behaviour and feel that I have let down my colleagues, as well as my friends and family."
Bruno Langley
In November 2017 Coronation Street's Bruno Langley (who is best known as Todd Grimshaw) was accused of acting inappropriately towards a woman on a night out. Shortly after he was dismissed from the show another sexual assault allegation came to light.After the actor was charged with the two counts, he was then accused by a 15-year-old girl of 'pursuing' her. The former Corrie star then pleaded guilty to the two charges and had to pay a £500 fine and a 12-month community order.He then released a statement where he apologised for his "disgraceful behavoiur" he went on to say: "I have absolutely no memory of what happened because of excessive alcohol consumption and it was for this reason that I behaved completely out of character."However, I take full responsibility for my actions that night."
Joseph Shade
He played Ian Beale's son Peter Beale from 1998 to 2004 but Joseph Shade was spared jail in 2017 after admitting to sexual assaults against three teenage girls.After pleading guilty to the crimes of the three girls between the ages of 14 and 17, he was handed an 18-month sentence suspended for 24 months, a sexual harm prevention order for five years and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Tim Dowd
In 2018 the Coronation Street cast and crew were shocked to discover one of their directors had been arrested for child grooming. Tim Dowd was caught after a police officer posed online as a 13-year-old girl.He has also worked on Emmerdale, Heartbeat and Casualty.
Michael Le Vell
Back in 2011 Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell, who plays Kevin Webster, arrested however the Crown Prosecution Service decided to not proceed with the case.However, in 2013 following fresh allegations from the accuser he was arrested again. The girl (who at the time of the trial was 17) accused the actor of abusing her from the age of six until 14. He faced 12 charges which also included sexual activity with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and indecent assault. He denied all of the charges and was later found not guilty. During the trial he did not appear in any of Corrie's episodes and after it came to light that he was innocent, he admitted outside the court that he was "delighted" and felt the result was "a weight off everyone's shoulders".Fast forward a few years and the actor has been declared bankrupt after having to pay out £200,000 in legal fees following the child abuse claims.
Bill Roache
A few months after Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell was arrested so was his co-star Bill Roache.The Corrie star, who plays Ken Barlow, was accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967. However things got worse for the actor as he was then charged with two counts of rape and then five more counts of indecent assault against children between the age of 12 and 16.He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and after three weeks at the trial he was found not guilty. After thanking everyone for their support, he said in a statement: "In these situations there are no winners, and I think we should all be much kinder to ourselves."
Leanne Lakey
From 2001 to 2003 she was known for playing Belinda Slater in EastEnders but years after being in the BBC soap she accused of attempting to smuggle three kilos of cocaine into the UK.The actress was arrested at Gatwick Airport in 2016 after the class A drug was found hidden in the bottom of her suitcase.A year after the arrest, and Leanne Lakey was found not guilty after there was no evidence against her.
Jody Latham
He played EastEnders' Rob Grayson (Whitney Dean's pimp) but in 2011 actor, Jody Latham, was arrested for growing cannabis. Police seized 24 plants from him.However, he managed to avoid jail with a 12-month sentence suspended for two years. In 2016 he was also accused of harassing a contestant on The Apprentice but was later cleared.
Ben Freeman
He played Scott Windsor in Emmerdale but actor Ben Freeman has previously been accused of raping a girl he met in Barbados while on holiday.Following the accusation he was 'released' from his contract and after denying the allegations he was found not guilty.
Linda Henry
In 2015 EastEnders starLinda Henry - aka Shirley Carter - was accused of racially abusing a warden. The incident was said to happen after the actress was told off by the accuser of dropping a cigarette bud on the floor.She denied the claims and was later found not guilty.
Following her death the resident and her family mourned, while Max was banned from attending the funeral.
Eek!
Lauren was quick to leave the square after her sister's death and since then Max has been looking after his granddaughter.
Now, Jake Wood who plays the infamous character has teased what's next for Max on the square and it sounds VERY exciting.
Speaking to Gloucester Live, he explained: "I’ve always thought Max can be redeemed.
"I hope he finds some happiness and stability this year but knowing Max, that might be unlikely."
He added: "He has a big story coming up this year which I’m very excited about as I think it’s something different. Watch this space."
We wonder what Max will get up to... Will love be on the horizon for the villain? Is he going to be involved with theSlater family upon their return? Or will he help out his former sister-in-law Rainie Cross who is set to return later this year?
So many questions!
What do you think EastEnders bosses have in store for Max? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
WATCH: Peter Andre gives our Assistant Editor a 60 SECOND fashion Makeover 🤣
READ MORE
ALL the EastEnders cast snapchat usernames you need in your life