The BBC and SISTER have released a first look clip for The Split Up, a brand new six-part legal drama from the makers of hit series The Split, coming to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
With story and characters created by Ursula Rani Sarma (Bodkin, Delicious), the show is based on The Split, created by multiple award-winning Abi Morgan (The Split, Eric). The series is produced by SISTER in association with Little Chick for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
A family story set inside the high-pressure world of Manchester’s high-net-worth divorce circuit, The Split Up promises all the heart of The Split but with a new setting, characters and storylines.
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We follow Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy), as Aria Kishan, a fast-rising star of Kishan Law, poised to step up and take the mantle from her father Dhruv, played by Sanjeev Bhaskar (Unforgotten), and Aria’s siblings Maya (Aysha Kala, Virdee), Kav (Arian Nik, Film Club), and partner Neal (Danny Ashok, Dinosaur).
The new trailer takes us into the charged world of Manchester’s high-net-worth divorce circuit via a powerhouse British-South Asian family firm, and the go-to for the city’s elite. At its centre is Aria, poised to step up and take the mantle from her father Dhruv, played by Sanjeev Bhaskar (Unforgotten), and her siblings Maya (Aysha Kala – Virdee), Kav (Arian Nik – Film Club), and partner Neal (Danny Ashok – Dinosaur).
In The Split Up, the death of Aria’s mother has cast a new light over succession plans for Dhruv, who has begun to wonder if his daughter can, or should, take on this responsibility single-handedly. Aria’s relationship is placed under scrutiny too with the wedding to long-term partner Neal on the horizon, but with their personal and professional lives so entwined it’s unclear if their relationship can withstand any more pressure – a problem further compounded when a former secret flame (Dimitri Leonidas) arrives in Manchester unexpectedly.
Alongside her siblings Maya and Kav, whose own relationships and loyalties are far from straightforward, Aria must navigate the splits that divide family and those we love – and ask herself: who should you live your life for?
The Split Up (6 x 60) is executive produced by Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone, Bryony Arnold, Ursula Rani Sarma with Nawfal Faizullah for the BBC and it is and co-executive produced by Shamim Sarif. Additional episodes are written by Sumerah Srivastav (Missing You), Kaamil Shah (Count Abdulla) and Sonali Bhattacharyya (Chasing Hares – Young Vic/Theatre Uncut). The series is being directed by Shamim Sarif (YOU) and Khurrum M Sultan (Vera). Natasha Romaniuk (Outrageous) serves as producer and Kasheina Vencatasawmy (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as associate producer. BBC Studios is handling global sales.
