BBC EastEnders Oscar Branning actor's real age leaves fans gobsmacked

EastEnders viewers were left gobsmacked after discovering the true age of the actor who portrays Oscar Branning.

Oscar is the third offspring of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), born in 2007 during his father's affair with daughter-in-law Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).

He was last spotted in 2017 when he briefly visited Max on Father's Day. Since then, he has been residing away from Walford with Tanya following her split from Max.

However, this week saw the return of Oscar to the soap, now portrayed by actor Pierre Moullier. The character made his reappearance in Monday's episode (July 14) where he rang sister Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) after finding himself in a bit of bother.

The comeback of Oscar was announced last month, with new executive producer Ben Wadey revealing that "there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer", reports OK!.

Meanwhile, actor Pierre described joining the soap as "pretty surreal" and hinted that "the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy".

Before EastEnders, Pierre featured in the Channel 4 series Cast Offs in 2009. He also had a minor role in Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga.

However, it's his actual age that has sparked a lot of chatter among fans. While Oscar is 17 years old, actor Pierre is either 24 or 25. On an EastEnders Facebook fan page, viewers expressed their surprise that Pierre is actually in his mid-twenties.

"The new actor who plays Oscar Branning is 24 or 25! Wth," exclaimed one shocked viewer. Another remarked with disbelief: "No way is he 25." Jumping into the conversation, a third added: "What? ! I thought he was like 18!".

Oscar isn't the only Branning making a comeback on EastEnders. Fans were thrilled to hear last week that Max, Oscar's father, will also be returning to Albert Square.

On his return to the role, Jake Wood, the actor behind Max, commented: "I'm over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I'm sure he'll be busy."

He added with excitement for the character’s future: "I'm excited to see what he's been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in the Square are anything to go by, I'm sure there will be plenty of chaos."

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.