EastEnders‘ Lauren Branning is set to face chaos in The Vic, as her dad Max Branning returns to Walford. In scenes scheduled to air on Monday, 15 December, the mum-of-two, who is already struggling with the fact that she was scammed by a fake doctor while trying to help her son Jimmy, will have a lot on her plate next week.

Ahead of Max’s highly anticipated return, Jacqueline Jossa has teased what’s in store for her character. “In typical Max Branning style, he reads too much into a situation and makes a scene in The Vic,” she began.

“Of course, Max is completely wrong with his judgement, and it causes a situation for Lauren. Max hasn’t even been back a day, and already he’s turned her life upside down.”

The misunderstanding in question will occur after Max suspects there’s something going on between Lauren and her father-in-law, Ian. What he doesn’t realise, however, is that Ian is the only one who knows that Lauren has lost the charity money the Square had raised for Jimmy, and has been trying to help her ever since.

“The punters are practically spitting out their beer after they hear what Max has to say,” says our EastEnders source. “But the twists keep on coming, as further info comes to light, shifting the focus onto Lauren. Suddenly on the back foot, Max finds himself having to leap to his daughter’s aid as the pub reels from all the revelations.”

It’s no secret that Lauren and Max have had a strained relationship in recent years, but is there room for redemption? Jossa isn’t sure, but she’s eager to find out. “I think Max holds up a mirror to Lauren, and she sees a lot of herself in him which she is trying to fight against,” the actor mused.

“She doesn’t want to turn into her dad, but they’re both similar, and tend to leave a path of destruction for their loved ones to navigate. Max is trying to right past mistakes, and he is really trying to show up for Lauren, so I think she would be open to rekindling her relationship with her dad, but it just depends how long it lasts. She’s been here time and time again with Max, so he’s got a lot of making up to do.”

Opening up about what it’s been like reuniting with her on-screen dad, Jake Wood, Jossa added: “I’m so excited to have Jake back. It’s just been brilliant. Ever since I came back, I have been pestering Jake to return. Jake texted me to say he was coming home at the start of the year, and I couldn’t believe it. I love working with him, and I think there is so much more to explore with Lauren and Max’s relationship.”