Kirsty Branning
Left to her own devices
from an early age, Kirsty learnt young that you had to be clever,
tough, steely and resourceful to survive.
| First appearance: | 25th December 2012 |
| Address: | 18-20 Albert Square (Kim's Palace) |
| Occupation: | Bar maid at The Vic |
When
Derek was released from prison, he introduced Max to Kirsty. The pair
were instantly smitten. Kirsty wore her heart on her sleeve with Max.
Chaotic and vulnerable, she laid everything on the table. Caught in a
whirlwind romance, Max bared his soul – well, most of it, anyway!
Neither had anything to lose. In a moment of shared madness the pair had
a shotgun wedding in a registry office. It was spontaneous and
hedonistic but Kirsty had finally found ‘The One’, while Max was
determined to put his past behind him. With Derek’s criminal activities
down the toilet, Max and Kirsty resolved to move away from London (to
Manchester) a week later and start a new life together.
Max
and Derek planned to meet Kirsty there but during the move, Max was
called back to Albert Square and discovered that Tanya had been
diagnosed with cancer and was refusing treatment. Realising he'd been
sent away under false pretences, Max stayed to look after Tanya and
rescue his family. Unable to face Kirsty he simply informed her by phone
that it was over. Devastated by his apparently-callous abandonment,
Kirsty had no way of finding Max. Derek – happy with his new-found
family life - was in regular contact with Kirsty but gave misleading
information in a bid to ensure she couldn’t find him. It was around this
time that she made the shocking discovery that she was pregnant.
Kirsty contacted Derek to pass the news of her pregnancy onto Max but Derek selfishly lied and insisted that Max was not interested. The truth: Max was never told. Kirsty was forced to make a difficult choice and opted to have an abortion. Max was never party to this information but Derek knew. Kirsty was incensed when an envelope of money and divorce papers were pushed through her letterbox (by Max). Kept at bay by Derek, Kirsty was determined to find Max and let him know exactly what he'd done to her but it was only when an angry Derek turned on Max on Christmas Eve that she finally found out where Max lived and decided to reclaim her man.
Since then Kirsty has tried everything she can to get Max back... moving into the B&B, befriending his family and even getting a job in his local boozer! However, Tanya had been determined not to let Kirsty win, and after the mother of all showdowns (and a visit from Lauren) Kirsty admitted defeat and signed the divorce papers for Max... stating that she loved him so much, she had to let him go. Leaving in a black cab, Kirsty was unaware that just across The Square, Max was finally getting his marching orders from Tanya, after he admitted that he still loved Kirsty. With Tanya out of the picture, Max decided to track Kirsty down and bring her back to The Square...seemingly to give their marriage another go.
It's not all been smooth sailing for this couple though, as although Kirsty has finally bagged her man, the fact that his ex and kids live a few doors down does not make a girl feel secure! Now Kirsty is pregnant and it seems her and Max will have a family of their own... but will Max be happy having to do the Dad thing all over again?
Don’t expect sympathy from meKirsty Branning
Kirsty contacted Derek to pass the news of her pregnancy onto Max but Derek selfishly lied and insisted that Max was not interested. The truth: Max was never told. Kirsty was forced to make a difficult choice and opted to have an abortion. Max was never party to this information but Derek knew. Kirsty was incensed when an envelope of money and divorce papers were pushed through her letterbox (by Max). Kept at bay by Derek, Kirsty was determined to find Max and let him know exactly what he'd done to her but it was only when an angry Derek turned on Max on Christmas Eve that she finally found out where Max lived and decided to reclaim her man.
Since then Kirsty has tried everything she can to get Max back... moving into the B&B, befriending his family and even getting a job in his local boozer! However, Tanya had been determined not to let Kirsty win, and after the mother of all showdowns (and a visit from Lauren) Kirsty admitted defeat and signed the divorce papers for Max... stating that she loved him so much, she had to let him go. Leaving in a black cab, Kirsty was unaware that just across The Square, Max was finally getting his marching orders from Tanya, after he admitted that he still loved Kirsty. With Tanya out of the picture, Max decided to track Kirsty down and bring her back to The Square...seemingly to give their marriage another go.
It's not all been smooth sailing for this couple though, as although Kirsty has finally bagged her man, the fact that his ex and kids live a few doors down does not make a girl feel secure! Now Kirsty is pregnant and it seems her and Max will have a family of their own... but will Max be happy having to do the Dad thing all over again?
Played by Kierston Wareing
Kierston’s many TV appearances include Inside Men, Top Boy, Luther, The Shadow Line, The Runaway and The Take.Kierston has also appeared in several films including Fish Tank, Rise of the Footsoldier and It’s a Free World for which she was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress.
Kierston had to keep the news of her role in EastEnders secret from all her friends and family, with only her Dad and brother knowing the truth… We bet there were a few surprised faces on Christmas Day!
