Who is AJ in EastEnders? Inside Abi Junior Branning’s story as Max returns
EastEnders' Max Branning has returned to Walford, but he was without his granddaughter
Max Branning is hoping to build relations with his estranged children in EastEnders(Image: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders stalwart Max Branning, played by Jake Wood, seems to have made a permanent comeback to Walford, although his granddaughter is noticeably absent, despite being believed to be under his care.
In Wednesday’s episode (December 17) of the BBC soap, viewers saw Max keeping vigil at his son Oscar’s (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) hospital bedside after the latter heroically dashed into a blazing No. 25 to rescue Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).
Max was quick to express his wish to mend fences with his children, yet he couldn’t shake off a nagging suspicion that his daughter, Lauren (played by Jacqueline Jossa), was concealing something from him.
Lauren seemed unusually chummy with her father-in-law, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who appeared to jump to her defence whenever the topic of some missing charity funds came up.
It’s safe to say there’s some unfinished business for EastEnders’ Max Branning in Walford(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
While conversing with Oscar, Max brought up his granddaughter, Abi Junior, also known as AJ, addressing her conspicuous absence, reports OK!.
“I was going to bring AJ, but you know she is staying with Tanya just while I’m here”, Max admitted, casting a guilty glance towards Lauren.
Upon leaving the hospital, Max ran into his ex-flame Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), who was visibly rattled by his reappearance. The pair haven’t crossed paths in five years, and Max is still unaware that he fathered her daughter, Annie, before his departure.
Linda Carter hasn’t yet told Max that he is the dad of her daughter Annie(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
When Max encountered his daughter Annie, he likened her to Abi Junior, casually remarking, “She reminds me of AJ, they grow up too fast, don’t they?” leaving Linda utterly aghast.
Linda found herself sharing a drink with Max as they delicately navigated their shared history. Max, shaken by Oscar’s near-d.e.a.t.h experience, expressed his desire to mend fences in Walford.
He confided in Linda, “I want to bring AJ back here”, before requesting a room at the Peacock Palace, to which she agreed.
Max Branning has returned to Walford(Image: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Later in the episode, tensions flared between Max and Lauren, with the topic of AJ’s whereabouts once again taking centre stage.
Max reassured his daughter: “I’m back now, I’m going to be there for all of you”, only for her to retort: “Like you have been there for AJ?”.
She continued: “I know she ain’t been living with your dad, because unlike you, I actually speak to mum. So you can drop all of this redemption arc stuff.”
Who is AJ in EastEnders
Abi Branning Jr, affectionately known as AJ, is the offspring of Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) in EastEnders. Born prematurely on 29 December 2017, she was named by her grandfather, Max.
AJ’s conception came about when her mother, Abi, embarked on an affair with Steven, who was dating her older sister Lauren at the time.
Steven, desperate to keep Lauren from drifting towards Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre), concocted a lie about having a brain tumour with Abi’s help to prevent Lauren from leaving him.
AJ was named by Max Branning in EastEnders (Image: BBC )
As they plotted against Lauren, Abi and Steven grew closer, eventually sparking a secret relationship. When Abi discovered she was pregnant, she kept it under wraps until Steven was on his deathbed in the hospital.
Steven passed away in September 2017, after being violently shoved into a counter by Max. He suffered internal bleeding as a result and d.i.e.d in the hospital.
Pregnant Abi was later declared brain d.e.a.d after falling from the Queen Vic roof on Christmas Day 2017, but AJ survived and was delivered by C-section.
Abi d.i.e.d after falling off the roof of The Queen Vic (Image: mirror.co.uk)
Abi was on the roof trying to coax down Max, who was planning to take his own life. Her sister Lauren also fell, but she survived.
When Abi’s baby was born, Max promised that he would take care of her and make things right after making so many mistakes with his daughters. AJ is technically an orphan since both her parents have passed away.
Away from the Square, AJ was thought to be living with Max; however, it now appears she lives with her grandmother, Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner). Will they make a return?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
