By Megan Folan

Copyright metro

Can we expect a full Branning reunion? (Picture: BBC)

The Branning family has long been one of EastEnders’ most dramatic and turbulent clans, with decades of explosive storylines leaving their mark on Albert Square.

Now, with Jake Wood recently reprising his role as Max Branning, many viewers have been wondering if another familiar face might soon follow: Tanya Branning, played by Jo Joyner.

Speaking recently on Love Island’s Amy Hart’s Mum’s Club podcast, Joyner finally addressed the growing speculation about a potential return to EastEnders. Although fans were hopeful of seeing Tanya back in Walford to reunite with her family, the actress has confirmed that it won’t be happening in the immediate future.

‘You know what really made me laugh the other day, because [Jake] sent me a picture from set and I saw how tall my son is, Oscar,’ Jo shared. ‘I said ‘do they know he’s the Hobbit?’

Oscar recently made an explosive return to Walford (Picture: BBC)

When pressed on whether she would consider reprising her role as Tanya, Jo explained: ‘Erm no, not this year. Never say never but I have got a lot on this year, so no.’

Who is Tanya Branning in EastEnders?

Tanya Branning first arrived in Walford in 2006, quickly establishing herself as a formidable and complex character. As Max’s wife and the mother of Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald), and Oscar (Pierre Moullier), Tanya was central to some of the Square’s biggest storylines.

From her rocky marriage to Max, most infamously exposed during the Christmas Day 2007 reveal of his affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), to her later struggles with cervical cancer and the dramatic burial of Max alive, Tanya’s storylines remain etched in soap history. Her fierce loyalty to her children often defined her choices, even when her marriage was crumbling.

By the time she departed in 2013, and again briefly in 2018 following Abi’s tragic funeral, Tanya had cemented her status as one of the show’s most beloved matriarchs. Her final appearance showed Tanya unable to face entering the church to say goodbye to her daughter, Abi.

Executive producer Ben Wadey has big plans for the Brannings it seems (Picture: BBC)

With Max back on the Square and Lauren holding a permanent place in Walford, the absence of Tanya has been particularly noticeable. Oscar, Tanya’s youngest child, also recently made a comeback and has grown significantly in the years since he was last seen on screen, something Joyner herself joked about in her podcast appearance.

The Branning family, once fractured, now has the beginnings of a reunion. But Tanya, who was often the glue holding them together, remains the missing piece.

Fans on social media have been vocal in their desire to see her return, with many pointing out that her presence could add even more layers to the ongoing Branning drama.

Is Tanya coming back?

EastEnders’ executive producer Ben Wadey was asked about the possibility of bringing Tanya back earlier this year. While he didn’t rule it out, he made it clear that, for now, other stories are taking priority.

Zoe Slater and Max have shocked viewers with their unlikely romance (Picture: BBC)

‘We’ve just given you Max and Zoe!’ he said, before praising Joyner directly: ‘Yeah, I mean, Jo’s amazing, isn’t she? We’ve also got an amazing cast with brilliant performances that deserve and need stories.’

The enduring appeal of Tanya Branning lies not only in her fiery confrontations with Max but also in her vulnerability and resilience. Viewers watched her navigate betrayal, illness, heartbreak, and the devastating loss of her daughter, all while trying to protect her children.

Her bond with Lauren, in particular, has always been central to her story. With Lauren back in Albert Square, fans naturally hoped Tanya would follow, especially to provide support as Lauren navigates life without her sister Abi and welcomed a new baby, Jimmy, in recent months. Tanya’s absence has left a gap that feels noticeable, given how integral she was to her daughters’ lives.

Fans will hold on to hope to see Tanya in Walford again someday (Picture: BBC)

Although she won’t be returning to EastEnders this year, Joyner has not stepped away from television.

She continues to enjoy success outside of soapland, most notably in the BBC detective drama Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators. She stars alongside Mark Benton as Luella Shakespeare, a role she has made her own over five seasons.

Fans of Joyner can look forward to seeing her back on screens soon as the series returns, giving them a chance to enjoy her talents in a very different setting.

But will Tanya ever return? For now, the answer appears to be no. But Joyner’s comment ‘Never say never’ has kept the door slightly ajar. EastEnders has a long tradition of characters making surprise returns years after their supposed final exits, and Tanya Branning is a character with unfinished business.

The Brannings’ turbulent history almost guarantees more drama ahead, and it’s hard to imagine the family’s future without Tanya eventually being pulled back into the fold. Whether to support Lauren, reconnect with Max, or even to confront new challenges of her own, Tanya’s return would certainly be welcomed with open arms by fans.

Until then, Jo Joyner continues to shine in other roles, while viewers hold onto hope that one day, Albert Square’s much-missed matriarch might once again appear in Walford.