EastEnders gives Tanya Branning update after Jo Joyner spotted on set

| Soaps Reporter Published September 29, 2026 11:06am Updated September 29, 2026 11:06am The soap delivered an update (Picture: BBC) EastEnders has shared an update on iconic character Tanya Branning, days after Jo Joyner was spotted on the set of the BBC One soap. Tanya was last seen dealing with the fallout of the death of her daughter, Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald), which saw her admitted to a psychiatric facility off-screen as she struggled to cope with the bereavement. We previously discovered that she’d taken custody of Abi’s daughter, AJ, after Max Branning (Jake Wood) left her unattended to chase a bit of skirt, and has remained off-screen ever since. In yesterday’s episode, fans were treated to another update about Tanya, as it was revealed that Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), Peter Beale (Thomas Law) and their children were getting ready to pay her a visit in Exeter. Before the family departed, Lauren headed to see secret lover Mark Fowler Jnr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple). To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Tanya was last seen dealing with the fallout of her daughter’s death (Picture: BBC) It’s been eight years since we’ve seen Tanya in Albert Square, but with actress Jo working near the EastEnders set at the moment, she popped over to catch up with her ex-husband, her daughter, her son, and the chap that helped her bury her husband alive. Uploading a picture to her story alongside Jake, Jacqueline Jossa, Rob Kazinsky and Pierre Counihan-Moullier, she captioned the sweet snap: ‘When you’re filming round the corner so you pop in to see the faaaaaamily, and finally meet your son!’. Rob Kazinsky being pictured alongside Jake, Jacqueline and Pierre comes after the news he has reprised his role as Sean Slater. Sean left the Square in a regular capacity back in 2009 when he discovered that Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) was the biological father of Roxy’s daughter Amy (Ellie Dadd). Rob Kazinsky is coming back to our screens as Sean Slater (Picture: BBC) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. He made numerous guest appearances in the year’s since, taking centre stage in a powerful week of episodes back in 2019 when Jean became worried about his mental health. Sean made unannounced one-off returns in 2021 – when Jean contacted him after discovering Stacey had married Eve Unwin in prison – and in 2022 when he appeared via a video call after Stacey got in touch to tell him her concerns about Jean. Deals of the Day I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale This time around, Sean will be sticking around for longer than just one episode, with his upcoming returning marking the first time he’ll be permanently settled in Walford in 17 years. The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.