EastEnders has hinted at a budding romance for Penny Branning, amidst the enigma surrounding newcomer Ethan.

The BBC One soap certainly didn’t hold back in its highly anticipated New Year’s Day 2026 episode, which offered a tantalising glimpse into the dramatic events of the same day in 2027.

The episode centered on Max Branning (Jake Wood) preparing for his fifth wedding, with several intriguing elements thrown into the mix, including the introduction of a baby boy.

One puzzling feature of this future-gazing episode was the arrival of a baby named Ethan, who is residing at Jack’s house. Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) appears to be struggling with caring for the infant.

It might be easy to assume that baby Ethan is Jack’s son; however, all of his children were conspicuously absent from the episode, including Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine), Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd), and Ricky Branning (Frankie Day). So, could Ethan be Jack’s grandchild?

Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) also let slip that Max had saved the lives of his grandson Jimmy Beale and baby Ethan at some point. However, the details of how he did this or why the two babies’ lives were in danger remain shrouded in mystery, reports OK!.

This revelation was enough to spur Jack into assisting his elder brother, though. It appears that the infants of Walford are set for a perilous 2026.

In upcoming EastEnders episodes, set to air from Monday (January 12), it seems Penny has taken a fancy to a local lad after they were seen sharing a Christmas kiss.

Gina Knight (played by Francesca Henry) is the first to spot that Penny appears smitten with Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) and urges her to make her move.

Adding a twist, Gina reveals that Penny and Vinny have shared a one-night stand, suggesting they should consider pursuing a romantic relationship.

By week’s end, Penny and Vinny are spotted on a date at Container Junction. Could this be the beginning of a blossoming romance?

Since her return to Walford two years ago, Penny had a fleeting fling with Harry Mitchell (Eljiha Holloway). However, the death of his ex-partner, Shireen, caused a rift between them, and their relationship failed to flourish.

Meanwhile, across the Square, the perpetually unlucky-in-love businessman Vinny was previously linked to Dotty Cotton, only to be harshly jilted.

Could baby Ethan be Penny and Vinny’s child? EastEnders fans will have to tune in to see how the drama unfolds.