In a dramatic week of early releases on BBC iPlayer, EastEnders has delivered a long-awaited resolution to a tense mystery, culminating in a shocking confession that left the residents of Walford reeling.
A Week of Fire and Fallout
The explosive episodes, released on December 17, 2025, pick up in the aftermath of a devastating fire. Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) lies unconscious in hospital after a heroic rescue attempt, with a distraught Max Branning (Jake Wood) refusing to leave his bedside. The incident leaves Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) visibly shaken, her anxiety compounded by the ongoing pressure of the stolen charity money raised in Lucy Beale's name.
While Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) tries to reassure her, his son Peter is being questioned by police over the theft. As Oscar wakes and discharges himself, tensions simmer elsewhere. Max reunites with Linda Carter, with their complex history hanging in the air, while Jack Branning wrestles with the secret that Linda's daughter, Annie, is actually Max's child.
Suspicions Boil Over in The Vic
Convinced the fire was no accident and resentful of Ian's central role in the Beale/Branning family, Max's suspicions reach breaking point. His anger erupts in a very public confrontation at The Queen Vic. In front of stunned punters, Max directly accuses Ian of stealing the charity money.
The argument swiftly escalates into a physical altercation, with the two Walford legends trading shoves and bitter insults. Just as the situation threatens to spiral into violence, Lauren steps forward to intervene.
The Jaw-Dropping Confession
In a moment that silences the entire pub, Lauren delivers the truth she has been hiding for weeks. She confesses that she was the one who stole the charity money. Her admission lands like a bombshell, leaving her family and the Square in a state of shock and setting the stage for intense fallout.
The episode ends on a brutal cliffhanger, leaving several burning questions unanswered:
- How will Peter react to Lauren's devastating secret?
- Will Max's determination to uncover the truth about the fire cause more chaos?
- What will happen when the paternity of Annie is finally revealed?
Viewers can catch all the drama now via the early release on BBC iPlayer.
