The Split is back… kind of! Inside the BBC’s “dream come true” spin-off The Split Up

They say you can never have too much of a good thing and one of those things, we believe, is BBC One’s The Split. In news that will please fans everywhere, the hit legal drama is officially making its way back to our screens… well, kind of. Let us introduce you to The Split Up, the brand-new spin-off that writer Ursula Rani Sarma has fittingly described as "a dream come true".

Set in the same universe as Abi Morgan's The Split, but written by Ursula (Abi will serve as executive producer), the new series will introduce us to a different family of legal experts, the Kishans, whose legacy is on the line when a family secret from the past is unearthed. That’s not to say the Defoe family won’t make an appearance - but we'll share more details on that later.

While filming on The Split Up was reportedly paused indefinitely last September, Broadcast Now has revealed it's now in pre-production, with filming due to commence this October. So, while we wait patiently for the show’s arrival on our screens, here's everything you need to know about, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is The Split Up about?

As you might already have guessed, the series is based on the BBC One show we’ve come to know and love - The Split, of course. The new story and characters are created by Ursula Rani Sarma (Smother, Delicious) with the original show’s creator Abi Morgan serving as executive producer alongside Ursula and The Split alumni, Lucy Dyke, Jane Featherstone and producer Sumrah Mohammed.

The drama revolves around Kishan Law, a British-Asian high net worth family law firm in Manchester, noted for its clientele and its reputation. According to the official synopsis, "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."

Ursula Rani Sarma has described being asked to create The Split Up, as an honour. She says: "I watched The Split with admiration over the years and I was honoured to be 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 Morgan says: "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."

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama says: "Abi Morgan’s The Split is one of our most loved and talked about dramas and a favourite with viewers, and The Split Up, set in Manchester and brilliantly written by Ursula Rani Sarma, promises to be just as compelling. The Split Up is as full of joy, heartbreak and intrigue as the original, with a fantastic new family we’ll fall in love with."

Who's starring in The Split Up?

Casting details are yet to be announced, but we do know that the spin-off will feature a new cast of characters - and that there's a chance the Defoe family will make an appearance somewhere along the line. In an interview with Digital Spy, Abi Morgan addressed whether fans could see some of The Split cast appear in the spin-off.

"Yeah, I think we’re talking about that," she revealed. "I think it will be a show that will very much stand on its own but invariably it’s lovely to have built that audience and we’re excited to see that audience hopefully come to the new version of the show. Who knows."

With a date now set for filming to begin, we're expecting more news about the cast of The Split Up imminently, so watch this space!

How can I watch The Split Up?

A release date hasn't yet been confirmed for The Split Up, but providing filming goes ahead in October, we'd expect it to arrive at some point in 2026. As soon as we have an official date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can catch up on the last two-part special, The Split: Barcelona, on BBC iPlayer.