The BBC has confirmed that The Split Up will return for a second series, following an outpouring of fan support for the legal drama.
The six-part series, set in Manchester, follows the personal and professional lives of the Kishan family, who run a high-net-worth divorce law firm. It stars Ritu Arya as Aria Kishan, who is poised to take over the firm from her father Dhruv, played by Sanjeev Bhaskar. The cast also includes Aysha Kala, Arian Nik, Danny Ashok, Mawaan Rizwan, Sindhu Vee, and Shalini Peiris, with guest stars Lenny Henry and Jameela Jamil.
Second series announced
The BBC announced that fresh episodes will deliver "more loves, losses, secrets and lies for the Kishan family to unravel", according to Wales Online.
Creator Ursula Rani Sarma said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the response to The Split Up. It means so much to see audiences embrace a family whose story reflects the diversity of our world. I'm thrilled to be bringing the Kishan family back for a second series, and my heartfelt thanks go to the BBC, Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone and my incredible team, as well as everyone who tuned in and supported us. We can't wait to show you what happens next!"
Creative team reaction
The Split producer Abi Morgan said: "I am delighted that The Split Up has found its audience and home at the BBC and look forward to what is next for Kishan Law under Ursula Rani Sarma and her brilliant creative team."
Executive producer Jane Featherstone added: "Family and relationships are endlessly fascinating, and it's been wonderful to see audiences fall for the Kishans in all their complexity. For me, and my fellow EP, Bryony Arnold, working with Abi Morgan and Ursula Rani Sarma has been such a joy, and our remarkable cast have brought these characters to life with real humour and heart. We're incredibly proud of the whole team and thrilled to be working with the BBC on a second series - there's plenty of unfinished business at Kishan Law."
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, commented: "We're thrilled that The Split Up will return for a second series. Viewers have taken the Kishan family straight to their hearts and we'd like to thank Ursula Rani Sarma, Abi Morgan and the whole creative team for building a series packed full of warmth, wit, emotional truth and humanity. It's a pleasure to continue our creative partnership with SISTER Pictures and Little Chick, and we look forward to seeing what lies ahead."
Fan response and future hopes
The confirmation follows praise from viewers, with one writing: "Just finished #TheSplitUp. Phenomenal television, beautifully written and the cast were absolutely fantastic. It deserves all the love that its 'parent' show got and I'm sad that it's not been as recognised." Another enthused: "Loved it, look forward to season two!"
Sarma previously told Radio Times about her hopes for the show: "I think ideally, the dream is to have a minimum of three [seasons] like The Split had. It feels like a really wonderful length to really explore a proper journey in these characters' lives."
The Split Up is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
