Tanya Branning, played by Jo Joyner, is one of the most recognisable characters from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. First appearing in 2006, Tanya quickly established herself as a central figure in the lives of the Branning family. Over the years, viewers saw her navigate betrayal, love, health battles, family drama, and moral dilemmas.
She was not simply a side character to her husband Max Branning’s stories. Tanya’s arc often ran parallel to, and sometimes overtook, the main plotlines of Albert Square. Her departures and returns were always tied to high-stakes drama, making her presence memorable for fans.
Arrival in Albert Square
Tanya’s first appearance came in June 2006. She arrived with her husband Max Branning (Jake Wood) and their two daughters, Lauren (then played by Madeline Duggan) and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald). At first glance, Tanya seemed like a calm, stylish, and grounded woman who kept her family together while Max worked as a car dealer.
Behind closed doors, however, cracks were already forming. Max had a history of infidelity, and Tanya’s trust in him was shaky. Despite these issues, Tanya initially tried to create a stable home life, balancing motherhood with the constant unpredictability of Albert Square.
The Stacey Slater Affair
One of the most explosive early storylines for Tanya was discovering Max’s affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). The affair was particularly shocking because Stacey had previously been in a relationship with Max’s own son, Bradley.
The Christmas Day 2007 episode that revealed the affair became one of EastEnders’ most famous moments. Tanya and the family were gathered to watch a DVD message supposedly from Lauren, but it instead contained secret footage of Max and Stacey kissing. The fallout was immediate and intense. Tanya’s heartbreak, combined with the humiliation of a public revelation, set the tone for years of turbulence in her marriage.
Burying Max Alive
Following the affair, Tanya and Max’s relationship became toxic. In 2008, in a storyline that remains one of the soap’s most controversial, Tanya took revenge by plotting to bury Max alive. Along with her daughter Lauren, she drugged him, drove him to a remote spot, and buried him in a shallow grave.
Although Tanya eventually had a change of heart and rescued him, the incident marked a turning point in her character’s portrayal. She was no longer just the wronged wife; she became someone capable of extreme actions when pushed beyond her limits.
This plot sparked significant debate among viewers and critics, with some calling it too far-fetched for a soap and others praising it for showing Tanya’s darker side.
Relationships After Max
Despite everything, Tanya and Max had an on-again, off-again relationship for years. In between their reconciliations, Tanya had other romantic partners.
One notable relationship was with Greg Jessop (Stefan Booth), a builder she met in 2010. Tanya married Greg in 2011, but the marriage was short-lived. The return of Max and the pull of her complicated family ties led to Tanya’s split from Greg.
The breakdown of her marriage to Greg highlighted a recurring theme in Tanya’s life: no matter how much she tried to move on from Max, their shared history and children always pulled them back into each other’s lives.
The Cervical Cancer Storyline
In 2011, Tanya was given a cervical cancer diagnosis in a storyline developed in consultation with health organisations such as Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. The plot aimed to raise awareness about the importance of regular screening and early detection.
Initially, Tanya kept her diagnosis secret from her family, confiding only in her friend Jane Beale. Eventually, she told Max and her daughters. The scenes showing her fear, anger, and vulnerability resonated with viewers, and Jo Joyner’s performance was widely praised.
The storyline had a real-world impact. Charities reported an increase in women booking smear tests after the episodes aired. It was an example of EastEnders using a fictional arc to address a genuine public health issue.
Tanya as a Mother
Tanya’s identity was deeply tied to her role as a mother. She had three children: Lauren, Abi, and Oscar (her son with Max). Her parenting style was protective, sometimes to the point of being controlling, particularly when she feared her children might follow destructive paths.
Her relationship with Lauren was especially complex. Lauren battled alcohol addiction, and Tanya struggled between tough love and unconditional support. With Abi, Tanya often clashed over her daughter’s loyalty to Max and later over Abi’s increasingly reckless behaviour.
Tanya’s maternal instinct also extended beyond her own children. She was often shown caring for stepchildren and supporting friends’ kids in times of crisis.
Friendships and Rivalries
Tanya’s closest friendships included Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) and later Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). These relationships gave Tanya moments of humour and warmth, balancing the heavy drama of her home life.
She also had notable rivalries, particularly with Stacey Slater in the early years and later with other women connected to Max. These conflicts often provided some of the most memorable confrontations on the show.
Exits and Returns
Tanya’s time in EastEnders was marked by multiple departures and comebacks.
- 2013 Exit – Tanya left Walford to support her daughter Lauren, who was receiving treatment for alcoholism. The exit was emotional but relatively low-drama compared to some of her earlier storylines.
- 2015 Return – Tanya made a brief appearance for her daughter Abi’s 21st birthday.
- 2017 Return – Tanya returned for the tragic storyline in which Abi suffered a fatal fall from the Queen Vic roof. The emotional hospital scenes, where Tanya said goodbye to her daughter, were among Jo Joyner’s most powerful performances. Tanya left again shortly after Abi’s death, taking Oscar away from the Square.
Each return was tied to major Branning family events, keeping Tanya relevant to the central narrative even during her absences.
Tanya’s Personality
Tanya was a mix of warmth, strength, and emotional fragility. She was not a saint — her affair with Max while married to Greg, her decision to bury Max alive, and her occasional lies showed she could be morally flawed. But these flaws made her human and relatable.
She was written as a woman trying to protect her family while navigating a world full of betrayal, secrets, and emotional pain. Her resilience, combined with moments of vulnerability, kept audiences invested in her journey.
Behind the Scenes
Jo Joyner’s portrayal of Tanya earned her multiple British Soap Awards, including Best Dramatic Performance. Joyner left EastEnders primarily to pursue other acting roles and spend more time with her family, but she has always spoken positively about her time on the show.
Writers often used Tanya’s returns to spark emotional high points in the series, knowing the character’s history with Max and her children would immediately create tension and drama.
Cultural Impact
Tanya Branning’s storylines — particularly the cervical cancer arc — had measurable influence beyond television. Health awareness campaigns used her character’s journey to encourage women to take screening seriously.
In soap history retrospectives, Tanya is often listed among EastEnders’ most memorable characters of the 2000s and 2010s. Her moments of extreme action, like the Max burial plot, are frequently replayed in anniversary specials.
Legacy in EastEnders
Although Tanya has not been a regular presence on the show for years, her impact remains. She was part of some of EastEnders’ biggest episodes, her relationships shaped the Branning family’s history, and her storylines are still discussed among fans.
There has been ongoing speculation about whether Jo Joyner might return permanently. While Joyner has said she is open to guest appearances, there has been no official confirmation of a long-term comeback.
Conclusion
Tanya Branning’s journey in EastEnders spanned love, betrayal, illness, and tragedy. Her storylines were both sensational and grounded in real-life issues, making her one of the soap’s most layered characters. Through Jo Joyner’s performances, Tanya became more than just a fictional wife and mother; she was a character whose struggles and choices reflected the messy realities of life.
From burying Max alive to bravely facing cancer, Tanya’s time in Albert Square remains unforgettable. Even in her absence, the shadow of her character lingers over the Branning family, a testament to the impact she made during her years on the show.
FAQs
1. Who played Tanya in EastEnders?
Jo Joyner brought Tanya Branning to life on EastEnders, first appearing in 2006, departing in 2013, and returning for special episodes.
2. What happened to Tanya in EastEnders?
Tanya’s storylines included her marriage to Max Branning, burying him alive, battling cervical cancer, and leaving Albert Square to support her family.
3. Did Tanya in EastEnders really bury Max alive?
Yes, in a 2008 storyline, Tanya drugged Max and buried him in a shallow grave before changing her mind and freeing him.
4. How did Tanya’s cervical cancer storyline impact viewers?
The storyline raised public awareness about cervical screening, leading to a reported increase in women booking smear tests after the episodes aired.
5. Will Tanya Branning return to EastEnders?
Jo Joyner has returned for guest appearances but has not confirmed a full-time return to EastEnders.
