EastEnders to air an entire flashforward episode on New Year's Day

What will the future hold for Max Branning?

On New Year's Day, EastEnders will, for the first time in the show’s history, air an entire flashforward episode, offering viewers a unique glimpse into the drama that is set to unfold in 2026 and beyond.

The 30-minute episode will follow Max Branning exactly a year on from present day as he finds himself in a situation which will have huge consequences for not only himself, but also his family.

In typical Branning fashion, Max finds himself at the epicentre of the drama, and with multiple situations unfolding at once, it becomes clear that 2026 has many secrets waiting to be discovered, and a whole heap of trouble that would be hard for any one person to talk themselves out of.

Whilst flashing forward to 2027, the episode will provide tantalising clues about what the future holds for Max, and those around him over the course of the year.

Speaking ahead of the flashforward episode airing, Ben Wadey, EastEnders' Executive Producer said "For the first time in the show’s history, we’re going to be offering our viewers an entire flashforward episode set on New Year’s Day 2027."

"2026 is going to be full of drama in Walford, especially for the Brannings, and the episode is sure to raise plenty of questions on how Max has got himself, and his family, into such predicaments, but all is not what it seems, so stay tuned for 2026 to find out how and why…"

Prior to this episode, EastEnders aired a flashforward scene on Monday 20th February 2023, depicting one aspect of the 2023 Christmas Day storyline.

EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One with first look episodes available from 6am on BBC iPlayer