For the first time in the show’s history, EastEnders is set to air an entire flashforward episode which they say will “offer viewers a unique glimpse into the drama that is set to unfold in 2026 and beyond.”

The episode will be 30 minutes and centre on Max Branning.

It will show New Year’s Day 2027 – exactly a year on from present day as he finds himself in a situation which will have huge consequences for not only himself, but also his family.

Max – played by the returning Jake Wood – will, in typical Branning fashion, find himself at the centre of the drama.

And with multiple situations unfolding at once, it becomes clear that 2026 has many secrets waiting to be discovered, and a whole heap of trouble that would be hard for any one person to talk themselves out of.

Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer said: “For the first time in the show’s history, we’re going to be offering our viewers an entire flashforward episode set on New Year’s Day 2027.

“2026 is going to be full of drama in Walford, especially for the Brannings, and the episode is sure to raise plenty of questions on how Max has got himself, and his family, into such predicaments, but all is not what it seems, so stay tuned for 2026 to find out how and why…”

The show previously used a flashforward to launch The Six storyline that gave viewers a hint about Christmas in February.

That ended up seeing Keanu Taylor murdered by Linda Carter and covered up with the other women’s help.

In 2020 Hollyoaks did a flashforward episode on New Year’s Day – for an entire year.

However they were upended when midway through the years an actor had to be axed and then recast and the covid pandemic caused chaos to filming and production schedules.

Let’s hope EastEnders time jump goes off without a hitch…