EastEnders’ Max Branning will attempt to murder his arch-enemies Ian Beale and Phil Mitchell.
Viewers are looking forward to an action-packed festive season on the Square this year as the sneaky businessman – played by Jake Wood – is on a mission to wipe out the restaurant owner (Adam Woodyatt) and the recovering alcoholic (Steve McFadden) for revenge because he believes they’re the ones who have wronged him the most over the years.
Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, Jake, 45, said: "The build-up to Christmas is some of the most action-packed stuff I’ve ever seen. In terms of what I’ve read, these are maybe the best scripts since the Max and Stacey [affair] DVD reveal in 2007.
"Max’s revenge was supposed to be a joyous moment for him – but he’s been cut loose by his co-conspirators, and slipped into a traumatic mental state.
"He has a lot of anger towards people, and doesn’t know how to go about dealing with it. When Stacey takes Max in, he’s already tried to kill Ian and is on his way to murder Phil! I don’t know what the medical definition is, but it feels like he’s having a psychotic episode."
And it’s not just Jake who is impressed with the festive storyline as Scott Maslen – who plays Max’s brother Jack Branning – has praised John Yorke, who returned to the show as executive producer after Sean O’Connor was sacked earlier this year, for getting it "back on track" again.
Taking to his Twitter account, he said: "Just want to give a big shout out to my fellow Brannings!!! You’re smashing it out the Park!!!! Jake, Jaclyn and Lorna!! And also big respect for John Yorke For studying this year getting EastEnders back to where it should be.and of course the writing team. #FEELS GOOD
"Bloody spellcheck!!! I meant to say! Big respect to John Yorke for Steadying the ship and getting us back on track!well done to the writing team and all the fantastic crew without whom it would all be impossible!!! Love you guys (sic)"
EastEnders’ Max Branning to murder?
