2026 is set to be a big year in Walford – but not necessarily for good reasons. BBC soap EastEnders have dropped several hints at the explosive year ahead. In the New Year’s Eve episode, the BBC soap ended the show with three clips that point to key storylines in the next year.

Towards the end of the episode, Max Branning (Jake Wood) was left staring at a banner welcoming 2026. The man had just made a promise to his children that in a year’s time, they would go from hating him to being proud of him. But if the hints the EastEnders execs are anything to go by, that could prove tricky, as 2026 certainly won’t be short of drama.

Three tiny clips played revealing a sonogram of a baby, the hood of a Rolls Royce and a gun, pointed by an unknown figure. Fans are already theorising about what these images could mean, so here is all the information we have and what it could spell for the upcoming year…

The Sonogram

It’s not a stretch to presume the sonogram of a baby means someone will be pregnant in 2026. Realistically, this clue is pretty straight forward. But the question is who?

One option could be Nicola Mitchell, as she is already pregnant with George Knight’s baby. If these hints are specifically geared towards Max’s life, this could be a hint that Nicola will be his mystery bride in 2027. The no nonsense bar owner is already a favourite to be the next Mrs Branning, as she and Max shared a flirty conversation in Tuesday’s episode (30 December).

However, some have also wondered if it could be Cindy Beale. While this would be a geriatric pregnancy, EastEnders are not averse to those, especially when Max is involved, as proven by Linda Carter, who gave birth to his youngest daughter, Annie, in 2021. Cindy and Max have already slept together, so it is possible that Cindy is unknowingly pregnant going into the new year. “Oooh the ending tonight… is Cindy going to have Max’s baby?”, one fan asked.

Finally, some have suggested Chelsea Fox. During tonight’s episode, Chelsea told Penny Branning and Gina Knight that she would be interested in a romance with Max. “After that Chelsea and Max scene tonight – what if Max ends up marrying Chelsea or she carries Max’s baby?”, one fan asked.

The Rolls Royce

This clue was a little more divisive. On the one hand, Rolls Royces are commonly used as wedding cars – we know Max is getting married at the end of 2026/beginning of 2027, so the Rolls could nod to that.

Equally, Albert Square is a frequent home to car crashes and collisions. Many a resident has been hit by a car in years past. Some were killed, like Tiffany Mitchell, who was hit by Frank Butcher and killed instantly in 1998. Others survived and healed extraordinarily quickly, like Jasmine Fisher, who was hit just earlier this year by Nigel Bates.

Max himself has previously been hit by a car – which was driven by his own daughter. Lauren Branning tried to kill him this way in 2008 after he attacked her boyfriend, Peter Beale. Could this be a repeat of history given Max’s recent punch up with Peter? Would she do it with his own wedding car?

The Gun

So, we’re pretty sure a murder will be attempted at some point in the next year. But, like with the sonogram, who will be shot at? And who will fire the gun?

With Max currently hated by his family, it would not be a surprise if someone attempted to kill him. Just earlier this episode, his son-in-law Peter ominously said: “I just wish there was some way to get rid of him.” For good, Peter?

One fan pointed to a moment in Tuesday’s episode (30 December) where Max walked in front of the cars coming back from the christening, making them crawl at the pace of a funeral procession. They suggested that this is a hint that Max will be offed. “I very much have a theory that Max walking in front of the cars in yesterdays episode was a foreshadowing of his death. They’ve brought Max back to eventually kill him off. The ending of the NYE episode gives off that vibe too.”

Some have suggested it may be someone close to Max instead. “With a gun teased for the flash forward, it makes me fear for Max’s remaining children. Protect Oscar at all costs!” one fan wrote.

“I just hope to god that Lauren and Oscar are alive by this time next year. Killing off Oscar would be a massive mistake when he’s one of the biggest castings in years and I love Lauren so much,” another theorised. “Get the feeling Linda and Cindy are at risk too.”