BBC announces spin-off to hit drama The Split and its set in Manchester

The new drama will enter the world of Manchester’s divorce law circuit

The BBC’s hit legal drama The Split is getting a brand new spin-off show set in Manchester.

Nicola Walker’s The Split, which followed a family of divorce lawyers in London, came to a dramatic end two years ago with the third and final series.

This week the BBC has confirmed a new six-part spin off series has been commissioned that will follow a new family of lawyers - this time in Manchester.

The Split Up will centre on the high-stakes world of Manchester’s divorce law circuit where one family of lawyers, the Kishans, reigns supreme.

In the drama the Kishans run the high net worth British-Asian family law firm Kishan Law noted for its clientele and its reputation.

They are the ‘go to firm’ for Manchester’s elite who come to them for their excellence, integrity, and discretion. But the future and legacy of Kishan Law hangs in the balance when a family secret from the past comes to light, throwing their professional and personal lives into turmoil.

There will be six one-hour episodes which explore the weight of parental expectation, the forces that keep families together, and the truths that tear them apart.

The Split Up’s story and characters have been created by screenwriter Ursula Rani Sarma and based on Abi Morgan’s The Split.

Ursula said: “I watched The Split with admiration over the years and I was honoured to be asked to create The Split Up: a spin off which introduces a whole new family and city while still holding on to the warmth, humour and heartbreak of Abi Morgan’s original series.

“To be able to place a contemporary British Asian family, helmed by brilliant women, at the heart of a primetime drama series is a dream come true for me as a writer who believes strongly in the importance of representation on our screens. It has been a joy to work alongside Abi as well as Lucy Dyke, Jane Featherstone and Sumrah Mohammed at SISTER to bring it to glorious life.”

Abi added: “After the success of The Split, it’s been great to see The Split Up take shape in lead writer Ursula Rani Sarma’s capable hands, reinvigorating all that audiences love. A new legal family, grabbing at life in a new city, battling new legal cases, as the professional and personal deliciously collide.

“A brilliant new cast of characters caught in the messiness of love, marriage, deception and divorce, make it their own. It is ripe to be taken into the hearts of anyone who loved the show.”