Eastenders Scott Maslen Is SoaplandTV’s Soap Star Of The Week
EastEnders’ Scott Maslen Is SoaplandTV’s Soap Star Of The Week.
Few soap characters have remained as central to EastEnders over the past two decades as Jack Branning. Whether he is dealing with family crises, relationship troubles or the latest drama to hit Albert Square, Jack has become one of Walford’s most dependable and recognisable residents.
That longevity is largely down to Scott Maslen, who has played the role since 2007 and helped turn Jack into one of the show’s most enduring modern characters.
Recent episodes have once again highlighted Jack’s importance to the Square as he stands by Denise Fox during one of the most difficult periods of her life. While their relationship has faced countless challenges over the years, Jack’s determination to support Denise has reminded viewers why the couple remain one of EastEnders’ strongest partnerships.
For his continued contribution to EastEnders, his impressive television career and his latest emotional performances, Scott Maslen is SoaplandTV’s Soap Star of the Week.
Supporting Denise When She Needs Him Most
Jack and Denise have experienced more than their fair share of ups and downs over the years. Affairs, family tensions, trust issues and personal struggles have repeatedly tested their relationship, yet the bond between them has endured.
The EastEnders 40th anniversary vote placed Denise’s future directly in viewers’ hands, with Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati both offered as possible romantic choices. The outcome saw Denise reunite with Jack, confirming that many viewers still believed in the history between them.
Recent episodes have shown Jack putting aside his own feelings to support Denise as she faces fresh challenges. Rather than focusing on past mistakes, the storyline has highlighted Jack’s loyalty and willingness to be there for the people he loves when they need him most.
It is a side of the character that viewers do not always see. Jack can be stubborn, protective and occasionally quick-tempered, but beneath those traits is a man who cares deeply about his family.
From Royal Marines Ambitions To International Model
Long before acting entered the picture, Scott Maslen had ambitions linked to the Royal Marines.
Born in Woolwich, south east London, on 25 June 1971, Maslen admired the Royal Marines as a young boy and attended Bromley Marines Cadets. He later signed up to join the Royal Marines at 16, but sustained an injury during the Potential Royal Marines Course, which prevented him from progressing into recruit training.
That setback sent his life in a completely different direction. At 18, while in Miami, Maslen was spotted by a photographer and went on to build a successful international modelling career, working for designers including Versace and Armani before moving into acting.
Although few could have predicted it at the time, the end of one ambition ultimately opened the door to a career that would make him one of British television’s most familiar faces.
Becoming DS Phil Hunter In The Bill
Before EastEnders, Scott Maslen was already a well-known figure on British television thanks to his role as DS Phil Hunter in The Bill.
Joining the long-running ITV police drama in 2002, Maslen quickly became one of the programme’s most popular cast members. Phil Hunter was tough, professional and often found himself at the centre of major storylines, helping establish Maslen as a respected television actor.
The role lasted five years and introduced him to millions of viewers across the UK.
For many viewers of The Bill, Phil Hunter remains one of the show’s most memorable characters, and the experience gave Maslen a strong foundation before moving on to his next major role.
Joining EastEnders As Jack Branning
In 2007, EastEnders introduced Jack Branning as the younger brother of Max Branning.
The character quickly became a major part of Albert Square, forming connections with some of the show’s most important families and becoming involved in storylines that would shape the programme for years.
Jack arrived as a former police officer with a complicated personal life and a tendency to become involved in trouble. However, viewers soon discovered there was far more to him than first appeared.
Over the years, Maslen has helped transform Jack from a confident newcomer into one of Walford’s most established residents.
Nearly twenty years later, he remains a central figure in the soap.
Jack Branning’s Biggest Storylines
Few EastEnders characters have experienced as much drama as Jack Branning.
He has survived being shot, faced family betrayals, navigated difficult relationships and dealt with the challenges of raising children while balancing an often complicated personal life.
His relationships with Ronnie Mitchell, Roxy Mitchell, Tanya Branning and Denise Fox have all produced major storylines, while his connections to Amy, Ricky, Penny and the wider Branning family have ensured he remains deeply rooted in the Square.
Jack has also been involved in numerous crime and police-related stories, reflecting the character’s background and adding another layer to his role within the show.
What makes Jack stand out is that he has evolved over time. The character audiences see today is very different from the man who first arrived in Walford in 2007.
That development has allowed Maslen to continually find new dimensions to the role while maintaining the qualities that made Jack popular in the first place.
Why Viewers Still Connect With Jack Branning
Soap characters rarely survive for almost twenty years unless audiences genuinely care about them.
Jack Branning is not a hero and he is certainly not perfect. He can be frustrating, stubborn and prone to making poor decisions. Yet those flaws make him relatable.
Viewers have watched him grow as a father, partner, brother and friend. They have seen him make mistakes, learn from them and try to become a better person.
That journey has helped create a character who feels authentic despite the extraordinary situations that soaps often present.
It is also a testament to Scott Maslen’s performance that Jack remains such an important figure within EastEnders after all these years.
Awards And Recognition
Scott Maslen’s popularity has been reflected through awards and nominations throughout his career.
His achievements include multiple nominations and longlist recognition across soap and television awards during his EastEnders career
Maslen’s British Soap Award wins include Best Actor and Sexiest Male in 2010, with further Sexiest Male victories in 2009, 2011 and 2012. He was also nominated in the top four for Sexiest Male in 2008.
Winning Best Actor at the British Soap Awards remains one of the highest individual honours in British soap, highlighting the impact Maslen made during one of Jack’s busiest periods on screen.
Why Scott Maslen Is Our Soap Star Of The Week
Scott Maslen’s career has taken him from Royal Marines ambitions and international modelling to some of Britain’s biggest continuing dramas.
His success in The Bill established him as a popular actor, while his portrayal of Jack Branning has secured his place as one of the most recognisable faces in British soap.
As Jack continues to support Denise through her latest challenges, viewers are once again seeing the compassionate and dependable side of a character who has become part of the fabric of EastEnders.
Nearly twenty years after first walking into Albert Square, Scott Maslen remains one of the programme’s most valuable performers and one of soap’s most enduring stars.
That is why he is SoaplandTV’s Soap Star of the Week.
Sources: EastEnders character history, BBC cast profiles, British Soap Awards records, The Bill archives, Strictly Come Dancing records, public television biographies and published Scott Maslen and Diane Parish interviews
