The BBC has launched The Split Up, a Manchester-based reimagining of its successful legal drama The Split. Featuring a new cast of British Indian lawyers, the series maintains the original's focus on high-stakes divorce cases while introducing distinct cultural elements.
The BBC's northward shift toward Media City
The BBC's northward shift toward Media City reflects a broader trend of decentralizing British media production. As the report notes, the move to Manchester aligns with local political shifts, such as Andy Burnham's "Number 10 North" initiative. This relocation suggests that the era of London-centric television is being challenged by the growing influence of northern media hubs.
Sanjeev Bhaskar and the Kishan famly's Hindu traditions
Sanjeev Bhaskar stars as Dhruv Kishan, the ambitious patriarch of a British Indian legal family in the new series. Writer Ursula Rani Sarma infuses the show with deep cultural traditions, such as the use of the term "Aunty" and the presence of a family shrine dedicated to Dhruv's late wife. According to the report, these elements provide a layer of cultural specificity that distinguishes the show from its London predecessor.
Aria's romantic crossroads and the role of Luke
The central tension revolves around Aria, played by Ritu Arya, who is navigating an engagement while maintaining a secret fling with Luke, a new associate played by Dimitri Leonidas. This romantic entanglement,combined with the complicated lives of her siblings, provides the emotional engine for the series. The report suggests that while the setup mirrors the original, the new cast brings a different energy to these high-stakes legal and personal conflicts.
The chemistry gap between Lenny Henry and Jane Horrocks
The series introduces a satirical subplot involving podcasters Alex and Tash, played by Lenny Henry and Jane Horrocks.. The report highlights a significant issue with this pairing, noting a "total lack of chemistry" between the two veteran actors. While the plot involves a scandalous paparazzi moment where Tash is caught in an affair with a much younger woman, the execution of this marriage-in-crisis storyline feels unconvincing to some critics.
Can Manchester's setting sustain a four-series legacy?
The original version of The Split enjoyed a successful four-series run in London. While The Split Up adopts the same weekly format of celebrity divorce cases, it remains to be seen if the Manchester-based production can offer enough novelty to avoid being seen as a mere carbon copy.. The source suggests that because the central character's romantic predicament is "practically identical" to the original, the show's ability to innovate beyond its predecessor's blueprint remains an open question.
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