EastEnders – Max Branning’s exit storyline explained
EASTENDERS’ Max Branning will say goodbye to Walford tonight (February 19) as he departs from the Square forever.
It was confirmed back in September that Max - who is played by Jake Wood in the BBC One soap - would be leaving in a huge new storyline. So what will his exit plot be and when is he leaving? Here’s the lowdown...
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What is Max Branning’s exit storyline?
Max sealed his exit last night (February 18) when he revealed Mick’s abuse hell to Linda - and almost the entire pub - and accused her of staying with him out of pity.
Mick violently lashed out at Max and flung him halfway across the room, before threatening to kill him.
In front of the pub, Mick warned Max: "Come near my wife again and I'll kill you."
Tonight (February 19), Mick tells Linda they can’t move on with Max around, leading her to tell Max never to speak to her again and leave Walford.
Max announces he loves her but Linda makes clear her heart lies with Mick.
But it'll be Jack who finally persuades Max to leave Walford after discovering he blabbed about Mick's abuse ordeal.
Viewers will then see Max make a huge decision as he walks away from Walford holding little Abi.
What will it be?
When is Max Branning leaving?
Jake Wood’s exit scenes are set to air tonight (February 19) in EastEnders, on the soap’s 36th birthday.
The actor appeared on Good Morning Britain at the end of last year to reveal ITV's 1 Million Minutes campaign advert to combat loneliness, which he directed.
When host Piers Morgan asked Jake when his EastEnders exit will air, the actor replied: "I think about mid-February, I am filming now for another two weeks so it will be about mid-February."
Why is Jake Wood leaving EastEnders?
It was confirmed back in September 2020 that Jake would be leaving the soap in a huge storyline after 15 years playing Max.
He told fans at the time: "I have loved playing Max Branning who amongst other things in that time has had 4 marriages, 10 affairs, 4 children (2 dying from falling from the roof of The Queen Vic), been buried alive, watched unwanted DVDs at Xmas and perhaps most traumatising of all…shared a hot tub with Ian Beale.
"I have made some truly great friends whilst on the show and I’ll miss everyone there. I’m grateful they have left the door open for Max and I’m excited to see what new horizons are around the corner."
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Executive producer Jon Sen previously said in a statement about Jake's departure: "Jake is a truly wonderful actor and EastEnders have been extremely lucky to have him for so long.
"We have a big storyline for Max that starts in the coming weeks and we are all very excited to see that play out."