Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar is set to star in the new BBC drama series, ‘The Split Up’, which is scheduled to premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Sunday, 20 September. The six-episode series is a spin-off from the popular drama ‘The Split’, bringing a new family and a new city to the high-stakes world of divorce law.
Introducing ‘The Split Up’
‘The Split Up’ is a legal family drama set in Manchester, focusing on Kishan Law, a prominent British South Asian family law firm. Known for its excellence, integrity, and discretion, the firm serves a wide array of Manchester’s elite clientele. The series explores the intricate collision of personal and professional lives within the firm, amidst themes of love, marriage, and deception, according to the BBC.
The series is centred around the Kishan family, led by patriarch Dhruv Kishan, who founded Kishan Law over three decades ago. His daughter, Aria Kishan, is a fast-rising star in the Manchester legal scene and the obvious heir to the firm. However, the recent death of Aria’s mother, Raina, six months prior, has led Dhruv to question if Aria can manage the responsibility single-handedly. Aria’s fiancé, Neal, is presented as a steadier option to lead alongside her, further complicating their intertwined professional and personal lives, casting doubt on their impending wedding.
The Kishan Family and Their Challenges
Beyond Dhruv and Aria, the Kishan family includes Aria’s siblings, Maya and Kav. Maya, Aria’s elder sister, was a lawyer who left her career ten years ago to become a stay-at-home mother but is now contemplating a return to the firm. The narrative sees Aria grappling with modern relationships and legal battles, compounded by the arrival of a former flame in Manchester and a long-buried family secret that threatens the very foundation of the firm and their family. Each episode features a “story of the week,” introducing new aspects of family law and characters, as detailed by BBC Media Centre.
Creative Vision Behind the Series
The creators aimed to build on the success of ‘The Split’ by introducing a new British South Asian family and setting the drama in Manchester, highlighting themes of diversity and representation. While retaining the accessible tone, warmth, and humour that characterised the original series, ‘The Split Up’ presents a “rawer energy” with its younger characters and contemporary setting. The series endeavours to explore the question: “who should you live your life for?”
What This Means for Viewers
For Oxford and Oxfordshire readers, alongside a general UK audience, ‘The Split Up’ offers a new British drama exploring complex family dynamics within the high-pressure world of law. With Sanjeev Bhaskar starring in the series, it promises to be a notable addition to the autumn television schedule, bringing engaging legal and personal storylines to national screens.
