EastEnders 'is bringing back an iconic character' in shock recast after an eight-year absence from the Square
EastEnders has reportedly decided to bring back an iconic character who has not been spotted in the Square for nearly a decade.
In another shocking recast, the legendary soap is said to see the return of Max Branning's son Oscar, according the Sun.
But the character, who has not had a story line since 2017, will not be played by Charlee Hall but it will be recast to Pierre Moullier.
A source told the publication: 'It is an exceptional bout of casting - Pierre looks more like a younger Jake than Jake did himself. It's uncanny.
'He's going to bring something new to Oscar and the character will definitely set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Square.'
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This will be Pierre's soap debut as he has previously appeared in as a 'boy in the street' during one episode of Cast Offs.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for the show for a comment.
Actor Jake Wood is also set to reprise his role as Max Branning later this year, in a return much-anticipated by fans following a four-year absence.
Jake's return comes a year after he celebrated being sober for over 20 years.
The actor, 51, opened up about his past struggles with alcohol as he filmed himself from his hot tub while reflecting on life.
The soap star wore a woolly hat as he enjoyed a cigar while sending an inspirational message to his followers.
Posting on Twitter, he said: 'So I'm sat here in a hot tub, having a cigar, it's pretty cool.
'And just reflecting on how grateful I am for all the amazing things I've got in my life. I've got an amazing family, beautiful family, fantastic friends. Everyone is happy and healthy.
The soap star played Max Branning in the BBC soap from 2006 to 2021
'Also, and I don't really talk about this often, I just want to say that tonight I'm 20 years sober. [I] stopped drinking 20 years ago tonight and that changed my life in so many ways.
'It's immeasurable. So anyone on the same journey, I send you love and support, and if anyone's struggling there's help out there, alright?'
He signed off by saying: 'You can do it. Love you guys. Happy New Year.'
Jake captioned the post: 'I am 20 years sober tonight. So proud of myself and for anyone out there on a similar journey.
'If you are struggling there is help out there, please reach out and believe me if I did it you can too. Sending you all love & strength and a happy and healthy 2024.'
Jake was inundated with support from friends and fans, including some of his former co-stars.
Musician Nitin Sawhney wrote: 'Congratulations and have a great new year, Jake.'
Danny Robbins, writer of West End production 2:22 A Ghost Story which Jake Wood has starred in, penned: 'Well done Jake. Great achievement. Happy New Year. See you soon x'.
And this is not the only exciting news for the BBC soap as they are set to battle it out against Emmerdale for the top categories at the British Soap Awards 2025 this month, with each show receiving 13 nominations.
The two shows have eclipsed rivals Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, who have secured 11 nominations each ahead of the ceremony on May 31.
The glitzy event will be returning to London to Hackney Empire, after previously taking place in Manchester, and will once again be hosted by Jane McDonald as it returns following a surprise hiatus last year.
As always, the numerous accolades will be presented by an array of well-known faces from across the TV and showbiz world, with the TV event broadcasting a few days later in a primetime slot.
The ceremony will celebrate a mammoth year in soaps looking back on 12 months of murder, mystery, make-ups, break ups, trials, tribulations and tears.
An incredible year saw Gail Platt depart the cobbles after 50 years in Coronation Street and EastEnders celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Lacey Turner has been nominated for Best Leading Performer for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders ahead of the May 31 ceremony
Ned Porteous will compete for Villain of the Year at the awards thanks to his fine performances as Joe Tate in Emmerdale
Meanwhile Hollyoaks leapt a year into the future and in Emmerdale a dramatic limousine crash into a frozen lake left viewers stunned.
The Viewer Voted Categories include Best British Soap, Best Leading Performer, Villain of the Year and Best Comedy Performance.
The nominees for Best Leading Performer are Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater, EastEnders), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders), Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale) and Beth Cordingly (Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale).
And the public has a tough choice when it comes to Villain of the Year with Calum Lill (Joel Deering, Coronation Street), Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar, EastEnders), Ned Porteous (Joe Tate, Emmerdale) and Tyler Conti (Abe Fielding, Hollyoaks) to choose from.
The Best Comedy Performance category includes Jack P Shepherd (David Platt, Coronation Street), Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson, EastEnders), Nicola Wheeler (Nicola King, Emmerdale) and Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks).
The ceremony, which first began in 1999, was rested in 2024 but is back with Jane hosting the ceremony which will air on ITV1 and ITVX in June.
Viewer Voted Categories:
Best British Soap:
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
Best Leading Performer:
Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater, EastEnders)
Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders)
Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale)
Beth Cordingly (Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale)
Villain of the Year:
Calum Lill (Joel Deering, Coronation Street)
Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar, EastEnders)
Ned Porteous (Joe Tate, Emmerdale)
Tyler Conti (Abe Fielding, Hollyoaks)
Best Comedy Performance:
Jack P Shepherd (David Platt, Coronation Street)
Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson, EastEnders)
Nicola Wheeler (Nicola King, Emmerdale)
Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks)
Panel Voted Categories:
Best Family:
The Platts (Coronation Street)
The Slaters (EastEnders)
The Dingles (Emmerdale)
The Osbornes (Hollyoaks)
Best Dramatic Performance:
Peter Ash (Paul Foreman, Coronation Street)
Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell, EastEnders)
Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale)
Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne, Hollyoaks)
Best Single Episode:
Mason's death (Coronation Street)
Phil's psychosis: the Mitchells in 1985 (EastEnders)
April's life on the streets (Emmerdale)
Hollyoaks time jump (Hollyoaks)
Best On-Screen Partnership:
Alison King and Vicky Myers (Carla Connor and Lisa Swain, Coronation Street)
Rudolph Walker and Angela Wynter (Patrick and Yolande Trueman, EastEnders)
William Ash and Beth Cordingly (Caleb and Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale)
Nathaniel Dass and Oscar Curtis (Dillon Ray and Lucas Hay, Hollyoaks)
Best Newcomer:
Jacob Roberts (Kit Green, Coronation Street)
Laura Doddington (Nicola Mitchell, EastEnders)
Shebz Miah (Kammy Hadiq, Emmerdale)
Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne, Hollyoaks)
Best Storyline:
Paul's battle with MND (Coronation Street)
Phil Mitchell: Hypermasculinity in crisis (EastEnders)
Belle and Tom - Domestic Abuse (Emmerdale)
Sibling sexual abuse (Hollyoaks)
Best Young Performer:
Will Flanagan (Joseph Winter-Brown, Coronation Street)
Sonny Kendall (Tommy Moon, EastEnders)
Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale)
Noah Holdsworth (Oscar Osborne, Hollyoaks)
Scene of the Year:
Mason's death (Coronation Street)
Angie Watts' shock return (EastEnders)
Amy's deathly plunge reveals a grisly secret (Emmerdale)
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