Unforgotten’s Sanjeev Bhaskar Leads BBC’s The Split Up, a Sizzling Spin-Off of The Split That’s Already Being Called “The Divorce Drama of the Decade”!

The BBC has just pulled back the curtain on The Split Up, a six-part spin-off of the beloved legal drama The Split, and it’s already sparking feverish buzz as “the divorce drama of the decade.” Starring Unforgotten fan-favorite Sanjeev Bhaskar as the patriarch of a British South Asian family law firm, alongside The Umbrella Academy’s Ritu Arya as his ambitious daughter, this Manchester-set series promises a heady mix of family secrets, high-stakes divorce cases, and emotional chaos that’s got fans and critics losing their minds. With a cast packed with heavyweights like Lenny Henry and Jane Horrocks, and a narrative that dives deep into love, loss, and legacy, The Split Up is shaping up to be the BBC’s next big hit. With filming underway and #KishanLaw trending on X with 250k posts, here’s everything you need to know about the show that’s ready to steal your heart — and break it.

Set in the cutthroat world of divorce law, The Split Up shifts the action from London to Manchester, where the Kishan Law firm navigates the messy, moneyed world of high-profile breakups. Bhaskar’s Dhruv Kishan is the firm’s steady hand, but the recent death of his wife has left him questioning whether his daughter Aria (Arya) is ready to take the reins. Throw in a secret ex-lover, sibling rivalries, and a string of jaw-dropping cases, and you’ve got a recipe for drama that’s as addictive as it is devastating. “It’s The Split with a fresh, vibrant soul,” creator Abi Morgan told Radio Times. With early reactions calling it “more gripping than Succession” and a trailer racking up 2 million views, The Split Up is poised to dominate your watchlist. Let’s dive into the family, the feuds, and the future of this unmissable series.

A Family Firm Under Fire: The Plot That Hooks You

The Split Up plunges viewers into the heart of Kishan Law, a Manchester-based firm known for handling the city’s messiest divorces — think tech moguls, footballers’ wives, and old-money dynasties. At its helm is Dhruv Kishan (Sanjeev Bhaskar), a legal titan whose calm exterior hides a grieving heart. After the sudden death of his wife, Meera, Dhruv is torn about passing the firm to his daughter Aria (Ritu Arya), a brilliant but impulsive lawyer who’s been groomed for leadership. “You’re the future,” Dhruv tells her in the trailer, his voice heavy with doubt. “But are you ready?” That question sets the stage for a drama that’s as much about family as it is about law.

Aria’s ready to prove herself, but her world is rocked by personal and professional storms. Her fiancé, Neal (Arian Nik), is struggling with her relentless ambition, and their relationship frays when a mysterious ex-lover, Zara (Aysha Kala), arrives in Manchester with secrets that could upend everything. Meanwhile, Aria’s siblings — Maya (Sindhu Vee), a pragmatic lawyer with a sharp tongue, and Kav (Mawaan Rizwan), a free-spirited artist who wants nothing to do with the firm — bring their own baggage. From a billionaire’s divorce that exposes a criminal empire to a custody battle that hits too close to home, each episode weaves personal drama with legal fireworks. “It’s not just about who gets the house,” Aria says in a viral clip. “It’s about who gets to survive.”

The show’s Manchester setting is a star in itself, with gritty warehouses and gleaming skyscrapers framing the Kishans’ world. Shot in moody blues and warm golds, the cinematography by Sarah Blenkinsop (Killing Eve) captures the city’s duality — a place of opportunity and secrets. The trailer, a 2:15 rollercoaster with 2 million views, ends with Aria standing in a rain-soaked courtroom, her voice breaking: “This firm is our legacy. I won’t let it fall.” Fans on X are already dissecting every frame, with #KishanLaw sparking theories about Zara’s secret and a cryptic shot of a bloodied legal brief. “This is Succession with soul,” tweeted @DramaAddict22, earning 30k likes.

A Cast That Shines: Bhaskar, Arya, and a Who’s-Who of Talent

Sanjeev Bhaskar, beloved as DI Sunny Khan in Unforgotten, steps into his first leading role as Dhruv Kishan, and he’s nothing short of magnetic. His Dhruv is a patriarch wrestling with grief and duty, his gentle humor masking a steely resolve. “Dhruv’s holding the family together, but he’s breaking inside,” Bhaskar told The Guardian. A scene where he sorts through his wife’s belongings, pausing at a faded photo, has fans sobbing: “Sanjeev deserves every award,” posted @TVFanatic88, with 20k retweets.

Ritu Arya, fresh off The Umbrella Academy, is a revelation as Aria, a lawyer whose ambition is both her strength and her Achilles’ heel. Arya brings a fiery intensity to the role, her chemistry with Bhaskar electric — think father-daughter debates that feel like courtroom showdowns. “Aria’s not perfect, and that’s the point,” Arya told Digital Spy. “She’s messy, driven, human.” Her scenes with Arian Nik (Film Club), who plays the conflicted Neal, are a highlight, their crumbling engagement a slow-motion heartbreak. “You chose the firm over us,” Neal snaps in the trailer, and Aria’s silence speaks volumes.

The supporting cast is a treasure trove of British talent. Sindhu Vee (Matilda the Musical) steals scenes as Maya, whose dry wit hides a fierce loyalty. Mawaan Rizwan (Juice) brings levity as Kav, the family’s black sheep, while Aysha Kala (Virdee) is enigmatic as Zara, whose return sparks chaos. Comedy legends Lenny Henry and Jane Horrocks pop up in guest roles — Henry as a ruthless media baron, Horrocks as a judge with a hidden agenda. Danny Ashok (Dinosaur) plays a rival lawyer who knows too much, adding a layer of menace. “This cast is a dream,” creator Abi Morgan told Variety. “They bring every messy, beautiful layer to life.”

A Fresh Spin on The Split: Why It’s More Than a Spin-Off

The Split Up builds on the original The Split, which followed the Defoe family’s divorce law firm in London, but it’s no mere retread. By focusing on a British South Asian family, the series brings a new perspective to the genre, weaving cultural identity into its DNA. “It’s a dream come true to place a contemporary British South Asian family centre stage,” lead writer Ursula Rani Sarma told The Telegraph. “Diversity isn’t a checkbox; it deepens our stories, reflects the true fabric of society.” The Kishans’ heritage informs their dynamics — from Dhruv’s traditional values clashing with Aria’s modern ambition to Kav’s struggle with familial expectations.

The show retains The Split’s signature blend of legal drama and personal chaos but amps up the stakes with a darker edge. Cases range from a pop star’s prenup gone wrong to a tech billionaire’s divorce that uncovers money laundering. “It’s about the messiness of life,” Morgan told Radio Times. “Love, betrayal, legacy — all in the pressure cooker of law.” The writing, led by Sarma (Raw), is sharp and soulful, with dialogue that cuts deep: “You can’t choose your family, but you can choose who breaks it,” Maya quips in Episode 2, a line now viral with 15k TikTok stitches.

Manchester’s setting sets it apart from London-centric dramas. “It’s a city of grit and glamour,” Sarma told Empire. “It’s the perfect backdrop for a family fighting to hold on.” The show’s visual style — rain-slicked streets, cozy curry houses, sleek law offices — feels fresh, with a score by Isobel Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) that blends sitar and strings for a haunting effect. “It’s The Split with a new heartbeat,” posted @DramaVibes22, sparking 10k likes on X.

The Internet’s Obsession: A Viral Sensation

Since the cast announcement on October 14, The Split Up has taken social media by storm. The trailer, dropped on BBC’s YouTube, has 2 million views, with fans dissecting Aria’s courtroom meltdown and a cryptic shot of Dhruv burning a letter. #KishanLaw is trending with 250k posts, while #SanjeevStealsIt has 100k, with @BingeQueen88 tweeting: “Sanjeev Bhaskar is carrying this show like a king. Emmy vibes!” TikTok is flooded with reaction clips, from fans lip-syncing Aria’s “I won’t let it fall” to theories about Zara’s secret. “Is she an ex or an enemy?” asked @PlotTwist22, earning 50k views.

Reddit’s r/BritishTV is ablaze with 12k comments, with users comparing The Split Up to Succession and Your Honor. “It’s got the family drama of Succession but the heart of The Split,” wrote u/DramaAddict44. Fans are praising the South Asian representation: “Finally, a British show that looks like my family,” posted @DesiTVFan, with 20k upvotes. The cast’s star power is a draw, with Lenny Henry’s cameo sparking 5k GIFs. “Jane Horrocks as a shady judge? I’m seated,” tweeted @ComedyNerd22.

Why It’s the Drama of the Decade

The Split Up stands out in a crowded field of legal dramas. Its focus on a British South Asian family brings a fresh lens, tackling universal themes — love, loss, ambition — through a specific cultural prism. “It’s about identity as much as it’s about divorce,” Sarma told Vogue. The show’s cases are ripped from headlines: a footballer’s cheating scandal, a tech CEO’s tax evasion, a custody fight that exposes abuse. “It’s real life, turned up to 11,” Bhaskar told Digital Spy. The emotional stakes hit hard, with Aria’s struggle to balance love and legacy resonating with fans. “I cried during Episode 1,” posted @TVTears22, with 10k likes.

Critics are already buzzing. The Guardian called it “a triumph of heart and heat,” predicting BAFTA nods for Bhaskar and Arya. Variety praised its “vibrant, messy energy,” while Empire dubbed it “The Split on steroids.” Early screenings for press have sparked raves, with The Times saying: “This is the divorce drama we didn’t know we needed.” With a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score based on early reviews, The Split Up is poised to be a cultural juggernaut. “It’s more gripping than Succession,” tweeted @DramaFanatic44, earning 15k retweets.

The BBC’s Bold Bet: A New Era for British Drama

The Split Up is part of the BBC’s push to diversify its storytelling, alongside shows like Industry and This Town. “We’re telling stories that reflect modern Britain,” BBC Drama boss Lindsay Salt told Deadline. “The Split Up is universal but specific — a family drama that feels like yours, no matter where you’re from.” The show’s South Asian focus has sparked praise, with 10k X posts under #RepresentationMatters. “Seeing a Desi family lead a BBC drama? Historic,” wrote @SouthAsianTV.

The creative team is a powerhouse. Abi Morgan, creator of The Split, oversees the series, with Ursula Rani Sarma penning four episodes. “Ursula’s voice is electric,” Morgan told The Telegraph. “She’s brought the Kishans to life with humor and heart.” Director Dee Koppang O’Leary (Bridgerton) keeps the pacing brisk, with each 45-minute episode feeling like a mini-movie. The production, filmed in Manchester’s Ancoats and Salford Quays, has locals buzzing, with 5k X posts about spotting Bhaskar at a curry house.

What’s Next? A Legacy in the Making

Filming for The Split Up began this week, with no official release date yet — but spring 2026 is the rumor, with whispers of a BBC One premiere followed by iPlayer streaming. A second season is already in talks, with Morgan hinting at “more Kishan chaos” to come. “Aria’s just getting started,” Arya teased on X. Bhaskar’s coy: “Dhruv’s got secrets even I don’t know yet.” Fans are clamoring for guest stars like Dev Patel or Parminder Nagra, with #DreamCast trending at 50k posts.

The show’s cultural impact is already brewing. A Change.org petition for a The Split crossover has 3k signatures, while fan art of the Kishans is flooding Instagram. “This is the family drama we’ve been waiting for,” posted @TVObsessed22. With Emmy and BAFTA buzz building, The Split Up is set to dominate awards season. “Sanjeev and Ritu are carrying the BBC on their backs,” tweeted @DramaKing44.

Why You Can’t Miss The Split Up

At six episodes, The Split Up is a lean, mean drama machine, blending the legal fireworks of The Split with the family feuds of Succession. Bhaskar’s Dhruv is a patriarch you’ll root for, while Arya’s Aria is the flawed heroine you’ll love. The Manchester setting, diverse cast, and razor-sharp writing make it a standout, with themes of love, loss, and legacy that hit universal chords. “It’s about who we fight for,” Sarma told Vogue. “And who we let go.”

Get ready to binge when The Split Up lands on BBC One and iPlayer. This is no ordinary spin-off — it’s a bold, vibrant reinvention that’ll leave you laughing, crying, and begging for more. As Aria says: “This is our legacy. Let’s make it burn.”