There’s something about a soap character who just won’t stay gone — and for EastEnders fans, Max Branning is exactly that kind of figure. Jake Wood, the actor behind the iconic Walford womaniser, has kept audiences guessing with a departure, a return, and plenty of behind-the-scenes moves in between — here’s what we know about his career, his earnings, and what comes next.
Born: 12 July 1972 ·
Known for: Max Branning in EastEnders ·
Instagram followers: 218K ·
Also known for: Role in Only Fools and Horses
Quick snapshot
- Played Max Branning from 2006 to 2021 (BBC Media Centre)
- Returned for a brief stint in 2023 (Radio Times)
- Permanent return confirmed for autumn 2025 (Digital Spy)
- Exact net worth figure (Daily Mirror (lower confidence))
- Whether he will return again after 2025 (Daily Mirror (lower confidence))
- His confirmed EastEnders salary per episode (Daily Mirror (lower confidence))
- 2006: Joins EastEnders as Max Branning
- 2021: Last scenes aired February 19
- 2025: BBC confirms autumn return
- Max Branning returns to screens December 16, 2025 (Yahoo News UK)
- More permanent comeback expected later (Yahoo News UK)
Six key facts at a glance, one pattern: the numbers tell a story of a long-running career with a significant pay gap between cast members.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jake Dylan Wood |
| Date of birth | 12 July 1972 |
| Place of birth | Westminster, London |
| Occupation | Actor, podcaster |
| Known for | Max Branning in EastEnders |
| Instagram followers | 218K |
| EastEnders tenure | 2006–2021, 2025–present |
| Return episode | 16 December 2025 (Digital Spy) |
The implication: Even with a 15-year run under his belt, Wood’s salary remains one of the most guarded numbers in British soaps.
Why did Jake Wood leave EastEnders?
Storyline reasons for Max Branning’s exit
- Max Branning left in 2021 after a storyline involving his daughter Abi’s pregnancy (Wikipedia)
- His final scenes aired on 19 February 2021
- The father of Abi’s baby was Steven Beale, a revelation that drove Max to leave Walford
The catch: The 2021 exit was written as a definitive departure, but the door was left open — a door Wood walked back through twice.
Jake Wood’s decision to leave the soap
- Wood expressed desire to explore other opportunities outside EastEnders
- He took a year off in 2015 to pursue other projects, with a contract securing his return after that break
- In 2022, Wood told The Sun he had no plans to return (The Sun)
- He returned briefly in 2023 and then confirmed a permanent comeback in 2025
Wood’s departure wasn’t a dramatic exit — it was a calculated career move. The actor reportedly made £1 million in the year after leaving EastEnders, suggesting he had more options than most soap stars.
The pattern: Wood’s comings and goings reflect an actor who knows his negotiating power, leveraging the Max Branning character for maximum flexibility.
How rich is Jake Wood?
Jake Wood’s net worth estimates
- Estimated net worth between £3–5 million, though no official figure exists (Daily Mirror (profile))
- Claims that Wood made about £1 million in the year after leaving EastEnders were reported by the Mirror in 2026
- This income reportedly came from podcasting, art projects, and other media ventures
Earnings from EastEnders
- Salary per episode not publicly confirmed by BBC
- Reports suggest top EastEnders actors earn between £200,000 and £400,000 per year
- Wood’s salary reportedly placed him in the mid-range of the cast
Income from other projects
- Active painter and artist, exploring AI in his art projects (Jake Wood Instagram)
- Podcasting ventures contribute to his income
- Minor roles in Only Fools and Horses, The Bill, and a GEICO ad provided early career earnings
The trade-off: Wood’s decision to leave a steady soap salary allowed him to diversify into art and podcasting — but it also means his income is harder to verify.
Who is the richest actor on EastEnders?
Top earners among EastEnders cast
- Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell) is reportedly the highest paid actor on the show
- Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts) also among top earners
- Figures from 2022 suggested top actors earn up to £400,000 annually
Three actors, one pattern: the pay gap between top earners and mid-range cast members is substantial, with Steve McFadden leading the pack.
| Actor | Character | Reported salary range | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve McFadden | Phil Mitchell | £300,000–£400,000 per year | Daily Mirror |
| Letitia Dean | Sharon Watts | £250,000–£350,000 per year | Daily Mirror |
| Jake Wood | Max Branning | £200,000–£300,000 per year (estimated) | Daily Mirror |
Why this matters: For actors like Wood, the decision to leave a long-running role involves weighing a steady salary against the potential for higher earnings outside the soap. The trade-off is real — and it’s one McFadden and Dean have chosen differently.
Who did Jake Wood play in Only Fools and Horses?
His role as a policeman
- He appeared as a policeman in one episode of Only Fools and Horses (IMDb)
- The episode is “The Frog’s Legacy” (1996)
- This was one of his earliest television roles
Other minor roles in the series
- Wood also appeared in The Bill and a GEICO advertisement
- These early roles helped establish his career before EastEnders
The pattern: Wood’s early career shows a working actor taking small roles that built his resume — a path that eventually led to the role of a lifetime.
Who fathered Abi Branning’s baby?
Abi Branning’s pregnancy storyline
- The father was Steven Beale, a key plot twist in EastEnders
- Abi is Max Branning’s daughter, making this a deeply personal betrayal for Max
The father’s identity and impact on Max Branning
- This storyline led directly to Max Branning’s departure from Walford in 2021
- The revelation drove Max to leave after years of family conflict
- It remains one of the most talked-about plotlines in recent EastEnders history
The implication: The Abi storyline wasn’t just a plot device — it was the narrative engine behind Wood’s original exit, giving Max a reason to walk away that felt earned.
Timeline: Jake Wood’s career
The arc from early guest spots to a 15-year soap tenure shows an actor who built a career methodically and on his own terms.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Born in Westminster |
| 1996 | Appeared in Only Fools and Horses as a policeman (IMDb) |
| 2006 | Joined EastEnders as Max Branning |
| 2021 | Left EastEnders after storyline ended (final episode 19 February) |
| 2023 | Returned for a brief stint |
| 2025 | Permanent return confirmed for autumn; December 16 return episode |
The pattern: Wood’s career follows a soap actor’s classic arc — build a character for 15 years, step away to explore other options, then return when the timing and money are right.
Confirmed facts
- Jake Wood left EastEnders in 2021
- He returned in 2023
- He played a policeman in Only Fools and Horses
- Abi Branning’s baby father was Steven Beale
- Steve McFadden is reportedly the highest paid EastEnders actor
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure
- Whether he will return again after 2025
- His confirmed EastEnders salary per episode
- The extent of his AI art projects
“Max Branning returning adds a new layer to the current EastEnders dynamics. It’s a move that promises drama for existing characters and a nostalgic pull for long-time viewers.”
Executive Producer Ben Wadey, BBC Media Centre
“Jake Wood discussed his art and AI projects on Instagram, showcasing a side of his career that goes beyond soap acting.”
The story of Jake Wood is one of calculated career moves: a 15-year soap run, a departure that opened new doors, and a return that proves Max Branning still has currency. For EastEnders fans, the question isn’t whether he’ll come back — it’s what he’ll do next. For Wood himself, the choice is clear: keep building a career that spans acting, art, and AI, or the risk of being defined by one role forever.
Frequently asked questions
When did Jake Wood leave EastEnders?
His final scenes as Max Branning aired on 19 February 2021.
Why did Max Branning leave EastEnders?
Max left after the revelation that Steven Beale fathered his daughter Abi’s baby, a storyline that drove him to leave Walford.
Will Max Branning return to EastEnders?
Yes, Max Branning is set to return on 16 December 2025, with a more permanent comeback planned later.
What was Jake Wood’s last episode?
His last episode as a regular cast member aired on 19 February 2021.
How did Max Branning exit the show?
Max left after the discovery that Steven Beale was the father of Abi’s baby, a deeply personal betrayal that led him to leave Walford.
Is Jake Wood married?
Yes, Jake Wood is married, though specific details about his spouse are not widely publicised.
Does Jake Wood have children?
Yes, he has children, but their names and ages are kept private.
Related reading
- Michelle Collins — Fellow EastEnders star (played Cindy Beale)
- Jack Carroll — Coronation Street actor and UK soap biography
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.