The Split Up, which premiered on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 20th September and continued with episode two on the channel last night, has been the biggest project for Wigan Council’s Film Fund so far.
The Fund was launched earlier this year by deputy leader Councillor Keith Cunliffe who has been a driving force behind the project.
Cunliffe, said: “I am really proud to have launched Wigan Council’s first ever Film Fund earlier this year with 100 per cent of the location fee from this drama being invested back into the local community in Leigh. This has delivered work experience, training and paid placements for over 20 young people from the area to gain valuable experience in the film and screen sector.
“Film and television productions help shine a spotlight on the borough, supporting the local economy and demonstrating the fantastic range of locations we have to offer the creative industries.
“Leigh Town Hall is one of our most impressive historic buildings and it’s great to see it showcased on screen for audiences across the UK. Locations across our borough have been featured in lots of different shows from Sherwood, The Bay and of course The Split Up, and I’m excited to see what comes next.”
The six-part drama, from the makers of the hit series The Split, is set in Manchester’s high-stakes world of family law and follows rising lawyer Aria Kishan as she prepares to take over her family’s prestigious legal practice, Kishan Law. The series stars Ritu Arya and Sanjeev Bhaskar and launched on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on 20 September.
One of the borough’s most recognisable landmarks, Leigh Town Hall, was transformed into the headquarters of the fictional Kishan Law, providing a striking backdrop for the drama’s legal and family storylines.
The production was supported through close collaboration with partners across Greater Manchester, including Screen Manchester, whose work helps connect film and television productions with locations, facilities and expertise across the city-region. By working together, Wigan Borough and Screen Manchester continue to showcase the area’s suitability for major screen productions, helping to attract investment and raise the profile of local locations.
Screen Manchester supported filming throughout the Northern Quarter, Castlefield, Spinningfields and the city centre. Locations ranged from hospitality venues including Lost in Tokyo, SEESAW, Vermilion, Maya, Pulp Coffee and Climat, to some of the city’s most distinctive buildings and public spaces, including Manchester Hall, Manchester Reform Club, Native Manchester, The Edwardian, St John’s Gardens, Sackville Gardens and Little David Street. The production also used The Glass Works.
Alongside the support provided by Screen Manchester and Wigan Film Office, the production was unit-based at Space Studios Manchester during filming last year, with additional spaces provided for supporting artists, preparation and costume.
Bobby Cochrane from Screen Manchester said: “The Split Up is a fantastic example of what Greater Manchester can offer a major production. By filming across Manchester and Wigan Borough, the series brings together the city-region’s diverse locations, experienced local teams and flexible production facilities. It was a pleasure to support filming across the city and to see partners across Greater Manchester play their part in bringing the production to life.”
