<Tr> <Th> Grandsons </Th> <Td> Louie Beale </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Nephews </Th> <Td> Dexter Hartman </Td> </Tr> <P> Tanya Lauren Branning (also Cross and Jessop) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jo Joyner . She made her first appearance on 27 June 2006 . She left the show temporarily on 25 December 2009 for maternity leave and returned for one episode on 23 June 2010 . She made her full - time return on 27 September 2010 . Tanya's storylines have included opening her own salon, giving birth to her third child, divorcing and then burying Max Branning (Jake Wood) alive, marrying Greg Jessop (Stefan Booth), starting an affair with Max, dealing with her cervical cancer and discovering that Max has a secret wife, Kirsty Branning (Kierston Wareing). On 1 May 2012, it was announced Joyner would take another break from the series in 2013, however, on 1 April 2013, it was announced her departure would be indefinite . On 15 May 2013, Joyner filmed her final scenes and departed on 28 June 2013 . Tanya returned in February 2015 for two episodes as part of the show's 30th anniversary celebrations . </P> <P> Tanya arrives in Albert Square after her husband Max Branning's (Jake Wood) car breaks down, not realising in fact Max is visiting his family . She finds out that he has had an affair with Gemma Clewes (Natalie J. Robb) but forgives him . To make it up to her, Max buys 10 Turpin Road for Tanya, which she turns into a beauty salon named Booty . Tanya after much pressure from Max gives birth to Oscar about two weeks before Christmas 2007 . Unbeknown to Tanya, Max has started an affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), who is Max's son Bradley Branning's (Charlie Clements) former girlfriend . When the affair is revealed on Christmas Day on a video recording recorded by Tanya and Max's daughter, Lauren Branning (Madeline Duggan) / Jacqueline Jossa), Tanya asks for a divorce and starts a relationship with Stacey's brother Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky). Tanya plots to bury Max alive and with the help of Sean, they drug Max and bury him in the woods . Tanya later feels guilty and digs him up and breaks up with Sean . Tanya then has to face her sister, Rainie (Tanya Franks), turning up as she did the year before, claiming she is clean of drugs, though tests positive, so Tanya orders her to leave . Tanya then starts a relationship with Max's brother Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Max tries to split them up . Tanya and Max later share a kiss, after Max is abducted and beaten by Jack . Max is knocked down in a deliberate hit - and - run . Tanya admits to the police that she tried to kill Max; however, Lauren was the real culprit . After the police find out Lauren was the driver, Max and Tanya suffer a bumpy relationship which ends up in Tanya forgiving Max and allowing him to move back in, but when she finds out they are in debt and Max has been hiding it, she leaves with Lauren and Oscar after finding out Booty was to close down, with daughter Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) refusing to go with Tanya and staying with Max . </P>

Who plays max branning's wife in eastenders