Jake Wood as Max Branning
Max Branning will play with fire once again when he beds DC Emma Summerhayes, the police detective investigating Lucy Beale's murder.
The Walford womaniser - who had an illicit romance with the young businesswoman before her death - will risk upsetting the Beale family once again when he beds DC Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton), the official appointed to act as the Beales' family liaison officer.
DC Summerhayes initially questions Max (Jake Wood) in a professional capacity, but she eventually succumbs to the car dealer's advances.
A soap insider told Digital Spy: "Once again Max is beginning a relationship that could have big repercussions on Albert Square.
"Summerhayes is potentially jeopardising her career by getting romantically involved with Max, as his fling with Lucy makes him a possible suspect in the murder case. Max is also playing with fire by risking further upset with the Beales.
"But despite the forbidden nature of the relationship, there's clear chemistry between the new couple and fans will have to wait and see whether Max has met his match. Could Summerhayes be the one to tame him?"
Max was recently ostracised by his fellow Walford residents, who discovered his romance with Lucy - the best friend of his daughter Lauren Branning - on the day of her funeral.
DC Summerhayes first appeared on 'EastEnders' last month, breaking the news of Lucy's death to her father Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins previously revealed the detective would have storylines of her own, independent of the murder investigation.
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