The Split Up – the critically acclaimed BBC legal drama – will return for a second series following its current first run.
The Split Up’s story and characters are created by Ursula Rani Sarma (Delicious), based on The Split, created by multiple award-winning Abi Morgan (Eric). The second series will be produced by SISTER Pictures in association with Abi Morgan’s Little Chick.
Filmed and set in and around Manchester, series one launched to critical acclaim this Autumn when viewers were introduced to the Kishan family, who run Kishan Law – a British-Asian high-net worth family law firm, known for their clientele and reputation, with the city’s elite coming to them for their excellence, integrity, and discretion.
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Viewers watched as the Kishans grappled with modern relationships and legal battles, navigating the splits that divide family and those we love. The second series will bring more loves, losses, secrets and lies for the Kishan family to unravel and contend with in the legal heart of Manchester.
Series one of The Split Up starred Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy), Sanjeev Bhaskar (Unforgotten), Aysha Kala (Virdee), Arian Nik (Film Club), Danny Ashok (Dinosaur), Dimitri Leonidas (Those About To Die), Mawaan Rizwan (Juice), Sindhu Vee (Matilda the Musical), Shalini Peiris (The White Lotus) and Tom Forbes (Queenie). The series also welcomed a host of standout guest stars, including Lenny Henry (Three Little Birds), Jane Horrocks (Bloods) and Jameela Jamil (The Good Place).
Creator Rani Sarma said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the response to The Split Up. It means so much to see audiences embrace a family whose story reflects the diversity of our world. I’m thrilled to be bringing the Kishan family back for a second series, and my heartfelt thanks go to the BBC, Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone and my incredible team, as well as everyone who tuned in and supported us. We can’t wait to show you what happens next!”
The show’s inspiration Morgan added: “I am delighted that The Split Up has found its audience and home at the BBC and look forward to what is next for Kishan Law under Ursula Rani Sarma and her brilliant creative team.”
Jane Featherstone, executive producer, said: “Family and relationships are endlessly fascinating, and it’s been wonderful to see audiences fall for the Kishans in all their complexity. For me, and my fellow EP, Bryony Arnold, working with Abi Morgan and Ursula Rani Sarma has been such a joy, and our remarkable cast have brought these characters to life with real humour and heart. We’re incredibly proud of the whole team and thrilled to be working with the BBC on a second series – there’s plenty of unfinished business at Kishan Law.”
Lindsay Salt, the BBC’s director of drama, concluded: “We’re thrilled that The Split Up will return for a second series. Viewers have taken the Kishan family straight to their hearts and we’d like to thank Ursula Rani Sarma, Abi Morgan and the whole creative team for building a series packed full of warmth, wit, emotional truth and humanity. It’s a pleasure to continue our creative partnership with SISTER Pictures and Little Chick, and we look forward to seeing what lies ahead.”
The new 6 x 60 series was commissioned by Salt for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It will be executive produced once more by Morgan, Featherstone, Arnold and Rani Sarma, with Nawfal Faizullah, for the BBC.
BBC Studios will handle global sales.
The Split Up, three series of The Split and the accompanying two-part Barcelona special are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
