- - New EastEnders Preview Hints at Arrest and a Dark 2027 Secret

Johnathon KornbleeDecember 26, 2025 at 7:53 AM

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After months of fan speculation and online theories, EastEnders has finally given viewers their first look at its highly anticipated flash-forward episode, set to air on New Year’s Day.

The official EastEnders X account (formerly Twitter) shared a preview teasing the dramatic holiday installment.

New Year. New Drama.Watch on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer. #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/ml6z3VsFwV

— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) December 25, 2025

The preview opens with Max Branning (Jake Wood) standing outside the Queen Victoria Pub. A banner reading “Happy New Year 2026” suddenly shifts, flashing forward and revealing “Happy New Year 2027.”

“His life is just one big game innit?” Max’s brother Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) can be heard saying, before adding, “kiss, marry, kill.”

Max is then shown inside a house, surrounded by armed police, seemingly under arrest. In another moment, he confronts Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), asking, “How could you do this to me Lauren?” as she looks on in fear.

Earlier this year, EastEnders confirmed that, for the first time in the show’s history, the soap will flash forward one year, taking viewers directly to the events of New Year’s Day 2027. The story will then unfold in real time, as the mystery surrounding what happens on that day is gradually revealed.

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Woods previously teased the FlashForward speaking to BBC’s The One Show, where he shared, “Suddenly, we cut to The Vic, and it’s not New Year’s Day 2026, it’s New Year’s Day 2027. We see Max, obviously, he’s had a very busy year; he’s been in lots of drama; there have been a lot of events that have happened.”

Woods believes that the audience is going to enjoy the twits and turns of the story, adding, "I think the audience is really going to love it. There’s gonna be so much speculation.”

Fans quickly took to the comment section on X to share their thoughts and opinions. One user shared, “oh Lauren be acting DOWN im so ready.” While a second user theorized, “So Max slept with Cindy this year and probably kills her next year.” A third user added, “What has max killed someone because why would they need all of those guns??”

EastEnders streams Monday through Thursdays on BritBox

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”