Oscar Branning, the youngest son of Max and Tanya Branning, has made a striking return to the BBC soap opera EastEnders, reintroducing the Branning family to Albert Square with a fresh wave of drama and complexity. Portrayed by Pierre Moullier, this comeback has stirred excitement and speculation among fans and critics alike, as the character brings both a troubled past and a hint of mischief back to Walford.
Oscar, born on-screen in 2007 during the infamous affair between Max Branning and Stacey Slater, had last been seen in 2017. At that time, the role was shared by child actors Charlee Hall and his brother Neo, but Pierre Moullier’s arrival marks the first major screen role for the actor, who is now in his mid-twenties. Despite Oscar’s character being 17 years old, Moullier’s actual age of 24 or 25 has surprised many viewers, sparking lively discussions on social media about age casting in soap operas.
Executive producer Ben Wadey expressed enthusiasm about the character's return, emphasizing the intention to strengthen the iconic Branning family. “I’m very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he’s all grown up,” Wadey said. “Oscar is very much a Branning which means there’s going to be plenty of drama in store this summer.”
Oscar’s reintroduction was anything but quiet. The episode aired on July 14, 2025, first on BBC iPlayer before its television broadcast, revealing that Oscar had recently been released from a youth offender’s centre after serving a three-month sentence for stealing a car. This troubled past immediately set the stage for tension and conflict as Oscar reached out to his sister Lauren Branning, portrayed by Jacqueline Jossa, seeking refuge after being kicked out by their mother Tanya due to the dangerous actions of a gang member nicknamed “Fat Mike.”
Oscar’s narrative quickly unfolded with gripping twists. After informing Lauren that he had given Mike’s name to the police in an attempt to reduce his sentence, Oscar’s situation worsened when Mike retaliated by petrol bombing a neighbour’s house, a fire sparked by Oscar’s switch of house numbers to protect his own property. This act of defiance and danger brought Oscar’s troubles to the forefront of the Branning family’s concerns.
Lauren, joined by Peter Beale and Ian Beale, found herself reluctantly drawn into Oscar’s chaotic world. An intense moment occurred when Oscar spotted Mike and his gang nearby and hid, prompting Lauren and Peter to impersonate police officers in a desperate bid to scare them off. The tension escalated as Oscar commandeered a van to escape the threat, driving everyone back to Albert Square.
Jack Branning, Oscar’s uncle, returned to Walford around the same time, encountering his nephew and learning about the strain in Oscar’s relationships with his parents. Lauren eventually agreed to let Oscar stay with her, on the condition that he behaved himself. However, the threat of Mike lingered ominously, culminating in Oscar arming himself with a kitchen knife after receiving a menacing text that read “we’ll find you.”
Fans of EastEnders have been quick to respond to Oscar’s return, not only to the storyline but also to Pierre Moullier’s portrayal. Social media users praised Moullier’s comedic timing and energy, with one viewer commenting, “Bloody love a fun, chaotic entrance episode and Oscar Branning ticked all the right boxes. Pierre Moullier was giving Jake Wood meets Rob Kazinsky – so much great energy.” Another fan welcomed the show’s apparent shift towards a more comedic tone under the new executive producer.
Yet, the drama surrounding Oscar is far from lighthearted. The Branning family has a tragic history with the Queen Vic roof, where Oscar’s late siblings Abi and Bradley both met their untimely deaths after falling. This haunting legacy has led to speculation among viewers that Oscar might suffer a similar fate, with some joking on social media that he could be the next Branning sibling to fall from the roof, continuing the family’s dark narrative thread.
Oscar’s return also coincides with the anticipated comeback of his father, Max Branning, played by Jake Wood. Max left Walford in 2021 to pursue other projects and was last seen relocating to New Zealand to join Lauren and his grandson Louie. Since then, the character has been based in France and later Croatia, where he fled to raise his granddaughter Abi Jr. Wood expressed excitement about returning, stating, “I’m over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I’m sure he’ll be busy.”
Actor Pierre Moullier, who has an extensive background in theatre with performances at The Young Vic and roles in productions like the BBC Three short Oi, Pussy and Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga, described joining EastEnders as “pretty surreal.” He advised audiences to “be prepared for the unexpected as he’s a complex guy,” hinting at the layered personality behind Oscar’s troubled exterior.
Oscar’s first days back on Albert Square have already been marked by schemes and antics, including a plot to swindle Ian Beale out of money by faking an accident in the local chippie. While Stacey Slater found the plan amusing, it backfired when a social worker witnessed the commotion, adding yet another layer of complication to Oscar’s attempt to settle into his family’s fold.
As the Brannings brace for further upheaval, the return of Oscar and Max promises a summer filled with drama, tension, and perhaps a touch of dark humor. With Oscar’s complex character and the family’s turbulent history, viewers are set for a rollercoaster ride on Albert Square that will test loyalties and reveal new secrets.
EastEnders continues to air Monday through Thursday at 7:30 pm on BBC One, with episodes available early on BBC iPlayer, inviting fans old and new to witness the Branning family’s latest chapter unfold.
