EastEnders star Jo Joyner has broken her silence on the prospect of reprising her role as Tanya Branning.

Joyner originally played the character for seven years before departing in 2013, with the actor returning to the BBC soap two years later for its 30th anniversary. Her last appearance came in 2018, bringing an end to a brief guest stint.

This year in Walford, the Branning family got a revamp as Pierre Moullier joined as Oscar and Jake Wood returned as Max after four years away.

The developments has led fans to wonder if Tanya could return to East London, though Joyner confirmed during an appearance on Amy Hart’s Mum’s Club podcast that a comeback wouldn’t be happening any time soon.

“As a superfan, I have to ask, are you going to complete my happy families card game for the Brannings? You’re the last one!” asked Hart, with Joyner replying: “Erm no, not this year. Never say never but I have got a lot on this year, so no.”

While it doesn’t sound like Joyner will be making a return this year at least, the cast and crew at EastEnders expressed hope that it could happen in the future, with executive producer Ben Wadey calling the actor “amazing”.

“We’ve just given you Max and Zoe [Slater],” he quipped. “Jo is amazing, isn’t she? We’ve also got an amazing cast. The writers (or producers) must give our huge cast and brilliant performers the stories they deserve and need.

“We need a bit of naughty Max first, don’t we? Scott Maslen said Jack needs Max back so Tanya can return and sort him out.

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