EastEnders icon Jake Wood left his role as Max Branning in 2021 after a whopping 15 year stint, and his career has continued to go from strength to strength ever since.
During his time on the BBC soap, the character was involved in some of the biggest storylines in the show’s history – including one that saw Max and Stacey Slater’s (Lacey Turner) affair revealed in front of the entire family on Christmas Day.
Years later, he was wrongly convicted for the murder of Lucy Beale, after the Beales rallied around to protect actual killer Bobby (Clay Milner Russell), and went on to try and get revenge on the entire Square.
Just before his exit, he had an affair with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and unknowingly got her pregnant.
Since leaving the show, Jake has continued to find success by launching his own podcast, as well as starring in hit West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Alongside his acting endeavours, he is also the director of the Murray and Wood company, which he runs alongside his wife.
According to The Sun, the company’s figures for 2022 show ‘cash reserves of more than £200,000 and a Corporation Tax bill of £169,151’ – meaning the company profits for that year look to have been upwards of half a million.
Jake’s acting career continues to go from strength to strength, with the actor recently appearing in play Hell’s Bells alongside Emmerdale actress Louisa Clein. He is also set to star in the National Theatre’s production of London Tide from April 2024.
Recently, fans speculated a return to EastEnders for Max Branning, after daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) paid the Square a visit and learnt that she had a sister, choosing then to make Albert Square her permanent home once more.
While so far there have been no signs of a return for Max, Jake has had his eye on another soap, as he revealed on Loose Women last year.
‘If they asked me if I would do another soap, then I would,’ he told the panel.
‘When I was a young actor, I did a lot of Northern parts. People used to think I was from Manchester when I was younger – I love Corrie, so if they’re listening, give me a call.’
Metro.co.uk reached out to Jake’s team, who had no comment to make.
