Everything you need to know about the BBC's exciting new divorce drama 'The Split'

The Split has been on our TV screens for two weeks now and with lots of drama unfolding, it may be hard to keep up with the Defoe sisters.

But one things for sure - everyone seems to be talking about the TV show. We’ve broken down exactly what you need to know about the BBC’s exciting new divorce drama.

What is The Split about?

The series follows three sisters – divorce lawyers Hannah and Nina and their youngest sibling Rose – as they navigate the scandalous divorce scene whilst also dealing with their own personal family affairs.

The six-part show has been described by the BBC as an “authentic, layered and witty exploration of modern marriage and the legacy of divorce” – told through the stories of a family of female lawyers working in London’s busy divorce circuit.

 

The SPlit

How many episodes will there be?

The Split will run for six episodes. Having already aired two there are four episodes of the series left.

Who stars in The Split?

Nicola Walker leads the cast as Hannah Defoe, who jumps ship to work for a rival law firm after being refused a promotion by her boss and mother. Britannia’s Annabel Scholey stars as Hannah’s sister Nina and Grantchester actress Fiona Button portrays youngest sibling Rose.

Other additions to the impressive cast include Episodes actor Stephen Mangan, who plays Hannah’s husband Nathan, Barry Atsma, who plays Hannah’s former flame Christie and Anthony Head, who portrays the sisters’ estranged father Oscar.

Who wrote The Split?

Bafta and Emmy winning writer Abi Morgan, who won the latter award for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries for her work on the BBC show The Hour. Abi has also worked on blockbusters Shame, The Iron Lady and Suffragette.

The Split

How have viewers reacted?

The Split has had mixed reviews from viewers just two episodes in, with some hailing the high profile cast while others pick holes in its depiction of life at a law firm. Only time will tell to see if the drama can win the naysayers over.

What happened in the latest episode?

Episode two saw Hannah in the eye of a media storm as she negotiated a Premier footballer’s prenup – a tricky negotiation made all the more difficult on discovering the opposing lawyer was former flame Christie’s ex-wife. Meanwhile, Oscar made a play to try and see his estranged daughters, but will Nina and Rose persuade Hannah to give him another chance?

What will happen in the next episode?

Episode three of The Split will see Hannah represent a woman fighting to save the embryos created during a marriage that is now ending in divorce. Oscar's return continues to have an impact on the entire family.

Watch a trailer for The Split below.

When does The Split air?

The Split is on Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC1.

Sarah Finley

Sarah is a freelance journalist - writing about the royals and celebrities for Woman & Home, fitness and beauty for the Evening Standard and how the world of work has changed due to the pandemic for the BBC. 

 

She also covers a variety of other subjects and loves interviewing leaders and innovators in the beauty, travel and wellness worlds for numerous UK and overseas publications. 

 

As a journalist, she has written thousands of profile pieces - interviewing CEOs, real-life case studies and celebrities - interviewing everyone from Emma Bunton to the founder of Headspace.