The world of high-stakes family law is getting a bold new chapter with The Split Up, the eagerly awaited spin-off from the acclaimed BBC drama The Split. After the original series captivated audiences with its sharp blend of courtroom tension, emotional rawness, and messy personal lives, this new six-part series shifts the action northward to Manchester. At its core is the Kishan family—a powerhouse British-South Asian firm specializing in high-net-worth divorces—whose polished reputation hides a long-buried secret poised to unravel everything they’ve built.

Created by Ursula Rani Sarma and produced by SISTER in association with Abi Morgan’s Little Chick, The Split Up expands the franchise’s signature style while carving out its own identity. The original The Split, which ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2022, followed the Defoe family of London-based divorce lawyers as they navigated professional battles and private heartbreaks. It earned praise for its nuanced portrayal of relationships, gender dynamics, and the human cost of legal work. This spin-off keeps the DNA—witty dialogue, complex characters, and emotionally charged cases—but relocates the drama to a vibrant, multicultural city and a new family dynamic.

Kishan Law stands as Manchester’s go-to firm for the elite, handling multimillion-pound settlements, celebrity splits, and contentious custody battles with ruthless precision. The family at the helm includes patriarch Dhruv Kishan, a commanding figure whose authority has shaped the practice for decades. His daughter Aria Kishan emerges as the fast-rising star, ready to step into the leadership role and modernize the firm. Aria’s ambition clashes with tradition, creating friction within the family and among clients who expect the old-school approach. The series promises to explore generational tensions, cultural expectations, and the pressures of maintaining a legacy in a competitive field.

The central hook is a long-hidden family secret that threatens to destroy the Kishans’ reputation and their business. This revelation—kept under wraps in early announcements—adds layers of intrigue, forcing characters to confront buried truths while juggling explosive cases. Expect the kind of juicy revelations that made The Split addictive: infidelity scandals, hidden assets, bitter ex-spouses, and moral dilemmas that blur the line between personal and professional.

Leading the cast are Ritu Arya as Aria Kishan and Sanjeev Bhaskar as Dhruv Kishan. Arya, best known for her roles in The Umbrella Academy and Humans, brings fierce intelligence and vulnerability to Aria, portraying a woman balancing ambition, family duty, and her own desires. Bhaskar, a veteran of Unforgotten and Goodness Gracious Me, infuses Dhruv with gravitas and quiet intensity, making him both authoritative and deeply flawed. The ensemble features standout guest stars, including Jameela Jamil in a mysterious recurring role, Lenny Henry, and Jane Horrocks, adding star power and emotional depth to key episodes.

Filming began in Manchester in October 2025 after overcoming earlier setbacks. Production was paused in 2024 for editorial reasons, sparking concerns among fans, but resumed with renewed momentum. Shooting in the city’s diverse neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and sleek legal offices captures Manchester’s energy—contrasting the original’s London polish with a grittier, more grounded feel. The six-episode format mirrors the original’s tight, impactful structure, allowing each installment to focus on a major case while advancing the overarching family arc.

The series arrives amid the BBC’s celebration of 60 years of South Asian programming, highlighting British-Asian voices both on screen and behind the scenes. Sarma’s writing promises “sexy, messy” drama—exploring love, betrayal, identity, and the intersection of culture and law in contemporary Britain. The show delves into themes of legacy, gender roles in South Asian families, and the emotional toll of divorce work, all while delivering the addictive case-of-the-week format fans adore.

Anticipation runs high following the original’s success. Viewers loved The Split for its realistic portrayal of relationships and legal maneuvering, and The Split Up looks set to deliver similar thrills with a fresh perspective. The Manchester setting offers new cultural textures, while the Kishan family’s story adds generational and ethnic dimensions absent from the Defoes. Early buzz suggests it could balance the franchise’s signature wit and heartbreak with bold new directions.

As production progresses, more casting and plot details are expected to emerge. With no confirmed air date yet, fans speculate a 2026 premiere on BBC One and iPlayer. If it captures even a fraction of the original’s magic, The Split Up has the potential to become another binge-worthy hit—proving that the high-stakes world of divorce law still has plenty of secrets left to reveal.

This spin-off isn’t just a continuation—it’s a reinvention. With powerhouse performances, intricate plotting, and a family secret that promises seismic fallout, The Split Up is definitely one to keep an eye on. The legal battles will be fierce, the personal stakes higher than ever, and the drama undeniably compelling.