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Is it time for a Branning revival in EastEnders?
MusicAndTV
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The Brannings are arguably one of EE’s modern day staple families. They were responsible for some of the show’s biggest storylines, with the most obvious being Stax. I remember at one point the show had over 10 regular characters in the family!
However, the Brannings have now been reduced to Jack (plus his kids Amy and Ricky, and Denise by surname). It is a shame, because I feel like the Brannings are an iconic family with complex characters, played by good actors.
Would anyone else like to see a revival? I’d start with bringing Max back. He is a polarising character, but there’s no denying how big the character is, especially to casual viewers. Even people who don’t watch the show will know who he is, simply because of how big Stax storyline was. I know Jake Wood was axed last year so it could seem too soon, but characters have departed and returned quicker than that. I remember on Corrie, Carla left in the spring of 2016 however returned just over a year later in December 2017, when they had a new producer take over. So a Max return is possible, especially considering we’ve got a new producer coming (the only difference here is that Kate Oates is still the senior EP and originally axed Max, but it’s still possible).
I would also bring Lauren back. She’s a recognisable face with a complex history, and it could finally give Peter the chance to do something other than be in the restaurant. I always got the impression that Jacqueline Jossa would come back one day, and that it was a matter of when and not if. I would also love if we got Tanya to return, however I’m aware Jo Joyner is a very busy actress with other projects. It would be interesting to see Tanya and her involvement with baby Abi, Rainie & Max. That could also open the door to reintroduce Oscar Branning, he’s a teenager now which would open the door for many potential plots.
Another character I think they could reintroduce would be Penny, the daughter of Jack. It could show a different side to Jack, and it would be beneficial for Amy & Ricky to have an older role model sibling. There’s also April & Suzy, the sisters of Max & Jack. They’ve appeared in the show previously, however I feel like they’ve been gone long enough to reintroduce either with the original actress or a recast. I’ve always thought Camille Coduri would be great for EE, so if they want to recast Suzy, that’s an option.
Would you like to see the Brannings revitalised? What would you do?
However, the Brannings have now been reduced to Jack (plus his kids Amy and Ricky, and Denise by surname). It is a shame, because I feel like the Brannings are an iconic family with complex characters, played by good actors.
Would anyone else like to see a revival? I’d start with bringing Max back. He is a polarising character, but there’s no denying how big the character is, especially to casual viewers. Even people who don’t watch the show will know who he is, simply because of how big Stax storyline was. I know Jake Wood was axed last year so it could seem too soon, but characters have departed and returned quicker than that. I remember on Corrie, Carla left in the spring of 2016 however returned just over a year later in December 2017, when they had a new producer take over. So a Max return is possible, especially considering we’ve got a new producer coming (the only difference here is that Kate Oates is still the senior EP and originally axed Max, but it’s still possible).
I would also bring Lauren back. She’s a recognisable face with a complex history, and it could finally give Peter the chance to do something other than be in the restaurant. I always got the impression that Jacqueline Jossa would come back one day, and that it was a matter of when and not if. I would also love if we got Tanya to return, however I’m aware Jo Joyner is a very busy actress with other projects. It would be interesting to see Tanya and her involvement with baby Abi, Rainie & Max. That could also open the door to reintroduce Oscar Branning, he’s a teenager now which would open the door for many potential plots.
Another character I think they could reintroduce would be Penny, the daughter of Jack. It could show a different side to Jack, and it would be beneficial for Amy & Ricky to have an older role model sibling. There’s also April & Suzy, the sisters of Max & Jack. They’ve appeared in the show previously, however I feel like they’ve been gone long enough to reintroduce either with the original actress or a recast. I’ve always thought Camille Coduri would be great for EE, so if they want to recast Suzy, that’s an option.
Would you like to see the Brannings revitalised? What would you do?
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Comments
DTC made a major mistake axing Ann as the older cast is now non existent plus Rainie is still there and I do see Tanya Franks sticking around so a Cora return is possible but Ann may have to be on the same contract as Rudolph Walker due to her age, I would also bring back Lauren and a teenage Oscar who could return with Cora.
As for the Branning siblings I would say April as she is the only one who hasn't appeared on screen with Jack yet, Jack having his eldest Sister around would be good, April could return with her Adult children to Walford.
Sadly I don't see Lindsey Coulson returning which is a shame as Carol is a great character and Lindsey Coulson a fabulous Actress.
Cora isn't a Branning.
She was essentially part of the Branning Family as was Dot.
Dot is a Branning as she is the widow of Jim Branning though...
And?
She is a Branning, the other is not...
Ok!
I don't think April has Grandchildren, she married in 1996 so her Children would only be in their early to mid 20s although it's possible.
Are you ok?
Yes
Cora is the most likely return, but since the Highway unit has Vi, unless Gwen Taylor has left for good I don't think they'll bring her in.
Don't see the point of bringing in Oscar because they do nothing with the other characters his age. Unless they actually start giving storylines to Amy/Ricky/Janet/Will, as well as Lily and Tommy, then I think he'd be a great addition. Would be interesting to see him with Lily, given he's Bradley's younger brother and she's Stacey's daughter.
I’m not sure what Ann Mitchell is up to these days but it would be great to see her come back even for a guest stint.
I'd like to see Cora back though
EastEnders haven't told us when Gwen Taylor has left or not.
Suzy would need to be recast as Maggie O'Neill apparently caused friction on set but the Suzy role is now occupied by Janine & Suki so she is probably not needed.
Yes, yes, yes!
She is welcome back unlike a worn out character that never made her potential.
We have older cast members so this would be a nice introduction.
Yes April was indeed childless when she last appeared in Walford 25 years ago in 1996. She moved to Greece after reuniting with her ex-fiance Nikos.
19 years later in 2015 when talking about Jim's funeral arrangements Max made a comment about April and 'her lot' in Greece not coming over for the funeral.
So its been implied she has had kids in the intervening years but they would early to mid twenties at the most. So its possible she's now a grandmother but any grandkids of hers would be very young.
April would be around 61 now, she was the second child I believe.
Although her exact age was never revealed April was implied to be the eldest sibling in 1996. Carol was 34 at the time and Derek was said to be 35. April referred to herself as Carol's big sister. If Derek was only one year older than Carol that meant April had to be older than Derek.
However in 2012 when Derek returned recast Dot referred to him as Jim's eldest. Although that could be dismissed as Dot being mistaken as she didnt know them growing up. Derek was also very pompous so being mistaken for the eldest would have suited him to not correct her.