Wood: 'Exciting times ahead for Walford'

EastEnders actor Jake Wood has revealed that he is excited over the soap's future following the arrival of new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood.

Former Hollyoaks chief Kirkwood took office at the Walford drama earlier this year as a replacement for Diederick Santer, who bowed out to pursue new projects after the programme's 25th anniversary.

Speaking to DS about his new boss, Wood explained: "He's meeting all the cast at the minute and getting fully immersed in it all. We'll have to wait and see what the future holds, but it's all very positive. There are exciting times ahead."

In recent weeks, Kirkwood has lured back Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace to reprise their respective roles as Alfie and Kat Moon. He has also cast former Footballers' Wives actress Zöe Lucker to play businesswoman Vanessa, a new love interest for Wood's character Max Branning.

Asked whether he is looking forward to working with Lucker, Wood replied: "Very much. I've never met her but she's done some great work over the years. It's a great addition to the show.

"I don't know much about her character Vanessa, other than she's Max's new love interest. From what I know, she's a feisty character who gives as good as she gets. It'll be a great pairing."

Tonight, viewers will see Max featuring in a special two-hander episode with Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) in the wake of his daughter-in-law's murder confession.

> Ten teasers about the Max/Stacey two-hander
> Click here to read our full interview with Jake Wood