Maxwell "Max" Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jake Wood. He made his first appearance on 27 June 2006. Much of Max's storylines have focused on his multiple relationships, which includes two marriages to Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner) and Kirsty Branning (Kierston Wareing) and relationships with Gemma Clewes (Natalie J. Robb), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Vanessa Gold (Zöe Lucker), Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater), DC Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton) and Karin Smart (Denise van Outen).