Jack Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Scott Maslen. He made his first appearance on 29 October 2007. He is the youngest child of Jim (John Bardon) and Reenie Branning (Joy Graham) and the brother of April Branning (Debbie Arnold), Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman), Suzy Branning (Maggie O'Neill) and Max Branning (Jake Wood). The character was introduced to the show during a period when EastEnders was being routinely criticised in the media for its reliance on resurrecting old characters. The casting of Maslen provoked some controversy, being the first time an actor had been poached from one mainstream soap to another. It was quickly established that Jack is a morally ambiguous character with a murky past in the police force resulting in the paralysis of his young daughter, Penny (Mia McKenna-Bruce). Tabloid media have praised the character for his role as resident Romeo, commenting frequently on his good looks and attractiveness, although broadsheet press have been more critical of Maslen's acting. On 1 July 2019, Maslen filmed his 1,000th episode as Jack.
Maslen took a two-month break from the role in October 2010 to participate in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing, returning in December 2010. Maslen made an indefinite departure from the role on 15 October 2013 after six years on the show.[1] Having turned down a chance to return to the role in April 2015, Jack made a previously unannounced return on 24 December 2015,[2][3] before leaving once again on 1 January 2016. Maslen returned to filming during the same month and Jack returned on-screen on 1 March 2016.
Since returning, his storylines have included reuniting with Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), gaining custody of his son Ricky Mitchell (Henri Charles/Frankie Day), finding out Ronnie had drowned on their wedding day and his subsequent grief over her death, a custody battle with Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) over his stepson Matthew Mitchell Cotton, supporting his great-niece Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith) over her rape and confronting her attacker, rejoining the police force, relationships with Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) and Denise Fox (Diane Parish), discovering that Amy has been self-harming, dealing with his son Ricky becoming a father at twelve-years-old and an affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (7 October 2013). "'EastEnders': Jack Branning leaves Walford - spoiler pictures - EastEnders News - Soaps - Digital Spy". Digital Spy.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (24 December 2015). "'Merry Christmas, Ronnie!' EastEnders brings back Jack Branning in a shock storyline twist". Digital Spy.
- ^ Davies, Megan (26 December 2015). "Scott Maslen confirms Jack Branning's EastEnders return is permanent". Digital Spy.