Max Branning: EastEnders star Jake Wood to leave soap after 15 years in ‘huge storyline'

Character will not be killed off, meaning actor Jake Wood could make a return in the future

Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) in a scene from EastEnders (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

EastEnders star Jake Wood is leaving the show after 15 years of playing the character Max Branning.  

The actor made an announcement revealing he would depart when his current contract ends, which will reportedly involve a dramatic storyline for Max.  

He and EastEnders’ showrunners confirmed that Max is not being killed off, meaning the door will be left open for a potential return.

“I’ve had 15 wonderful years at EastEnders and have made some truly great friends,” Wood said in a statement.

“I’ll of course miss everyone there but I’m grateful they have left the door open for Max and I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds.”

EastEnders’ executive producer Jon Sen called Wood a “truly wonderful actor” and said the show had been “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,” he said.  

In Max’s current storyline, he has just discovered that Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) has taken his money, and is demanding he returns it to avoid repercussions.  

It was recently reported that Woodyatt, the soap’s longest-serving star, is leaving the show for an “extended break” after 35 years.