Jack Branning finds a pregnancy test in upcoming EastEnders scenes, as viewers finally discover who baby Ethan’s parents are following the flashforward episode.
EastEnders appears to have confirmed who baby Ethan’s parents are.
Viewers will recall that Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) was shown looking after a baby during the BBC One soap’s flashforward episode, which aired on New Year’s Day 2026 and jumped ahead to events taking place on the same date in 2027.
The special episode focused on Max Branning (Jake Wood) as he prepared to tie the knot once again. However, much of what was happening remained unclear — even before Max was arrested and later realised that his children were in serious danger.
One of the biggest talking points from the flashforward was the introduction of a baby boy called Ethan, who was staying at Jack’s home. Notably, Jack’s children — Penny, Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) and Ricky Branning (Frankie Day) — were nowhere to be seen in the episode.
Meanwhile, Jack’s nephew Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) disclosed that Max had, at some stage, saved both Jimmy Beale and baby Ethan’s lives. However, no explanation was given about how he managed to do so, or what threat the two babies had faced.
Executive producer Ben Wadey previously confirmed that viewers would gradually be given clues to piece together what happens on New Year’s Day 2027 — and now it appears the identity of baby Ethan’s parents has finally come to light.
In scenes set to air next week, the Branning family gathers for Sunday lunch, but the atmosphere shifts when Jack Branning discovers a pregnancy test.
He and Denise Fox (Diane Parish) attempt to work out who it belongs to and initially suspect it could be Lily Slater’s (Lillia Turner). However, the situation becomes more complicated when Lily denies any involvement, prompting Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) to confess that the test is actually hers.
Penny later claims the result is negative, much to Jack’s relief. But when he eventually learns that his daughter is indeed expecting a baby, she confronts him angrily over his reaction and the way he has treated her.
Penny confides in her cousin Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) about her pregnancy and shares how she feels about the possibility of making such a life-changing decision.
Jack tries to apologise for the awkward way he reacted to Penny’s news, but he quickly manages to upset her again. Later, Oscar accidentally lets Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) know that Penny had a pregnancy scare, prompting him to rush over to check on her.
Penny agrees to let Vinny come with her to a doctor’s appointment to discuss her options, but she becomes frustrated when the doctor seems to talk over her while outlining the support available if she chooses to keep the baby.
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