The Split Up, a new BBC drama and spin-off of The Split, delivers what its review calls full-on sudsy fun from the start. The series centers on a British South Asian family law firm in Manchester, led by Sanjeev Bhaskar as a patriarch handing over the family business. Written by Ursula Rani Sarma, it swaps London for Manchester and replaces original creator Abi Morgan’s voice with Sarma’s, while maintaining the glossy tone of its predecessor.
From the team behind The Split, The Split Up blends personal drama with professional intrigue, featuring high-net-worth divorce cases and intertwined romantic entanglements among lawyers and their colleagues. Each episode balances a case of the week against the evolving relationships between characters, creating a layered yet accessible narrative.
Key Facts
- The Split Up is a BBC drama spin-off of The Split.
- Sanjeev Bhaskar plays a patriarch handing over a family law firm.
- It is written by Ursula Rani Sarma, not Abi Morgan.
- The setting shifts from London to Manchester.
- The family depicted is British South Asian.
How Did We Get Here?
The Split Up builds directly on the success of The Split, which followed a group of London-based divorce lawyers navigating complex personal and professional dynamics. While both series explore themes of love, betrayal, and justice within family law, The Split Up introduces fresh perspectives through its British South Asian lens and Manchester backdrop.
The departure of Abi Morgan as writer marks a significant tonal shift. Ursula Rani Sarma brings her own storytelling style, though early episodes suggest continuity in the show’s blend of melodrama and procedural elements. This change allows the series to stand alone while appealing to fans of the original.
Available now on BBC iPlayer, The Split Up continues the tradition of British prestige television dramas that attract audiences seeking emotionally rich narratives paired with polished production values. Its launch signals the BBC’s ongoing investment in diverse voices and stories, particularly those highlighting underrepresented communities in period or contemporary settings alike.
What Happens Next?
Each episode features a central divorce case that intersects with ongoing character arcs, blending legal proceedings with personal revelations. As tensions rise between siblings vying for control of the firm, viewers can expect escalating conflicts rooted in both heritage expectations and modern ambition.
Beyond courtroom drama, the series explores generational divides, cultural identity, and the cost of loyalty within tightly knit families—an approach consistent with The Split’s emotional depth but expanded into new territory via its cast and context-specific challenges specific to British South Asian experiences today.
What We Know — And What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- The Split Up is a BBC spin-off of The Split.
- Sanjeev Bhaskar portrays a patriarch transferring leadership of a family law firm.
- Ursula Rani Sarma serves as the writer; previously Abi Morgan held this role.
- The setting is Manchester rather than London.
- The main family belongs to a British South Asian background.
Still unconfirmed:
- Precise air dates or number of planned seasons.
- Critical reception beyond The Guardian review mentioned.
- Viewership numbers or audience feedback metrics.
- Full cast list including supporting roles.
Why It Matters
With increasing demand for authentic representation on screen, The Split Up contributes meaningfully to expanding visibility for British South Asian stories within mainstream media narratives historically dominated by white protagonists alone – offering nuanced portrayals grounded in lived realities instead of tokenism alone here.
What To Watch
Fans are encouraged to stream all episodes currently available on BBC iPlayer, where further international distribution deals may also expand accessibility soon thereafter given broader appetite globally especially after recent hits like this elsewhere too.