The BBC has announced a gripping new legal drama titled Reputation, which promises to captivate fans of the beloved series The Split. The latter, starring Nicola Walker, concluded in 2022 after three seasons, leaving viewers eager for more family law intrigue.
What is Reputation About?
Described as "an audacious and glossy new drama", Reputation explores the chaotic fallout when a celebrity legal battle spirals out of control. The six-part series follows Elaine, a formidable lawyer who has built her career defending free expression. She is drawn into a high-profile case representing global pop star Davina Knight.
The BBC teases: "After Davina releases a provocative new song accusing her ex-husband, Billy, of abusive behaviour and he retaliates in kind, their private breakdown erupts into a very public libel battle. The case is fought far beyond the courtroom, as PR machines are deployed, laws are bent, and social media platforms become judge, jury, and battleground – driving outrage for clicks and warping the truth."
For Elaine, the case puts her own personal life in the line of fire. The central question looms: how far will she go to win, and at what cost? And for Davina, how far will she go to protect her reputation?
Creative Team Behind Reputation
Writer Anya Reiss expressed her excitement: "When I found out London was the global capital of high stakes libel cases – where the rich, powerful, and famous come to fight in public for their reputations – I was in. I've loved writing this world and now I'm excited to get it off the page and onto the screen."
Producer George Ormond added: "We are so excited to be working with Anya again – her scripts are sharp, badly behaved, very funny, and totally addictive."
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, commented: "Reputation is high-stakes, intoxicating, and hugely entertaining, with a lot to say about the world. In Elaine and Davina, the brilliant Anya Reiss has created two lead characters for the ages, and we're delighted to be working with her, Mahalia [Belo, director], and the team at The Forge to bring this very public battle to BBC iPlayer and BBC One."
What About The Split Spin-Off?
Fans are also awaiting The Split Up, a spin-off series centred on another family law firm. Set in Manchester, it focuses on the British-Asian elite Kishan family. The six-part series will feature "the high-stakes world of Manchester's divorce law circuit, where one family of lawyers, the Kishans, reigns supreme."
Kishan Law is a British-Asian high net worth family law firm noted for its clientele and reputation. However, the future and legacy of Kishan Law hang in the balance when a family secret from the past comes to light, throwing their professional and personal lives into turmoil.
The Split is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
