The Split (TV series)

The Split is a British legal drama television series, written and created by Abi Morgan, that first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 24 April 2018. The first series, commissioned in August 2016,[2] follows the lives of the Defoe family, who all work in divorce law for the family firm, aside from eldest sister Hannah (Nicola Walker), who works for rival family law firm Noble & Hale and youngest daughter who is a nanny.[3] The series co-stars Stephen Mangan, Fiona Button, Annabel Scholey and Barry Atsma.[3] Series 2 saw the return of the Defoe family at newly merged law firm Noble Hale Defoe, with most of the original cast confirmed.[4] The third and final series premiered on 4 April 2022. For her performance in the final series, Walker received a TV Choice Award nomination for Best Actress[5] and a National Television Award nomination for Drama Performance while The Split was nominated for Returning Drama.[6]

This article is about the British TV series. For the Israeli TV series, see Split (TV series).

The Split
Created byAbi Morgan[1]
Written by
Directed byJessica Hobbs[1]
Starring
ComposerIsobel Waller-Bridge
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes18 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerLucy Dyke[1]
Running time60 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production companySister
Release
Original network

BBC America (US; season 3)

Original release24 April 2018 (2018-04-24) –
9 May 2022 (2022-05-09)

Cast

Main

Supporting
  • Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Glen Peters, the vicar performing Rose and James' wedding ceremony (series 1, 3)[3]
  • Maggie O'Neill as Yvonne Duchy, Goldie's best friend, who is having an affair with her husband (series 1)[3]
  • Josette Simon as Maya, Oscar Defoe's second partner (series 1)
  • Mathew Baynton as Rex Pope, a stand-up comedian (series 1-2)[3]
  • Elizabeth Roberts as Liv Stern, Hannah and Nathan's elder daughter[3]
  • Mollie Cowen as Tilly Stern, Hannah and Nathan's younger daughter[3]
  • Toby Oliver as Vinnie Stern, Hannah and Nathan's son[3]
  • Ellora Torchia as Maggie Lavelle, a junior solicitor at Noble & Hale (series 1-2)[3]
  • Amaka Okafor as Chloe, a junior associate working with Nathan (series 2)
  • Brenock O'Connor as Sasha, Liv Stern's boyfriend (series 1)
  • Kerry Fox as Judge Joyce Aspen (series 1)
  • Anna Chancellor as Melanie Aickman, a family lawyer (series 2-3)
  • Karen Bryson as Leonora 'Lennie' Hale, Zander's sister who is seeking to divorce her husband (series 3)
  • Clarence Smith as Felix Sanderson, Leonora's husband (series 3)
  • Alex Guersman as Gael, Liv's Argentinian fiancé (series 3)
  • Lindsay Duncan as Caroline, the ex-wife of a deceased earl (series 3)
  • Jemima Rooper as India, the young widow of the late earl (series 3)
  • Radhika Aggarwal as Prisha, wife of the recipient of James's heart (series 3) [8]
  • Gerald Kyd as J. J. Johnson, a family lawyer (series 3)

Production

Production for the first series began in July 2017 in London.[3] On 13 January 2017, SundanceTV announced that it would be partnering with the BBC to produce the series.[1] SundanceTV will thus hold exclusive rights for broadcast in the United States.[1] Series 1 was released on DVD on 4 June 2018.[9]

A second series was commissioned in May 2018[10] with production beginning in March 2019.[4] Donna Air and Ben Bailey Smith joined the cast for the second series as high-profile clients for the law firm[11] and Damien Molony as the character Tyler Donaghue.[12] The first episode of series 2 aired in the UK on BBC One on 11 February 2020[13] and in the United States on Sundance TV beginning on 15 May 2020.[14] During filming Series 2, production visited Maidstone TV Studios to film a studio show segment.[15]

Series 3 premiered on BBC One on 4 April 2022. All six episodes were released on BBC iPlayer on the same day.[16] Season three premiered on AMC+ and Sundance Now in the US on 23 June 2022 in full a week ahead of its linear broadcast premiere, with the show moving from SundanceTV to sister network BBC America, starting 27 June, with each episode airing weekly. It is unknown if season 3 will air in simulcast on both networks or not.

Episodes

Series overview
SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAverage UK viewers
(millions)
First airedLast aired
1624 April 2018 (2018-04-24)29 May 2018 (2018-05-29)5.73
2611 February 2020 (2020-02-11)17 March 2020 (2020-03-17)5.35
364 April 2022 (2022-04-04)9 May 2022 (2022-05-09)4.27

Season 1 (2018)
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.K viewers
(millions)
11"Episode 1"Jessica HobbsAbi Morgan24 April 2018 (2018-04-24)6.89[17]
Hannah represents the ex-wife of top stand-up comedian Rex Pope (Mathew Baynton) who has engaged in a legal battle to try to prevent him from using material referencing her in his new stand-up arena tour, and also takes on one of her mother's former clients, Davey McKenzie (Stephen Tompkinson), who has initiated divorce proceedings against wife Goldie (Meera Syal) after more than twenty years of marriage. Hannah's long-lost father, Oscar (Anthony Head) also returns after a thirty year absence to reclaim his stake in the family business.
22"Episode 2"Jessica HobbsAbi Morgan1 May 2018 (2018-05-01)5.62[17]
Hannah tries to negotiate the pre-nup of Premier League footballer Diallo Diapo (Thierry Mabonga), who has a chequered history of adultery, but proceedings are hindered by the arrival of Diallo's lawyer, who just happens to be Christie's pregnant ex-wife Lauren Brooker (Ruth Bradley). Meanwhile, Oscar tries to win back the affection of his children by wining and dining them at a swanky London hotel, and the McKenzie divorce grows increasingly bitter when further revelations boil to the surface.
33"Episode 3"Jessica HobbsAbi Morgan and Jane Eden8 May 2018 (2018-05-08)5.38[17]
Hannah represents Jaynie Lee (Tamara Lawrance), a high-flying businesswoman whose frozen embryos are under threat from her husband as deliberations over their divorce settlement threaten to turn ugly. Goldie discovers that Davey has an illegitimate child that he fathered ten years ago. Oscar's return continues to drive a wedge into the Defoe family dynamic. Nathan drunkenly tries to accost Nina after revealing that he no longer has sex with Hannah. After losing her engagement ring, Rose finds herself in a compromising position with vicar Glen (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith).
44"Episode 4"Jessica HobbsAbi Morgan15 May 2018 (2018-05-15)5.26[17]
The marriage of foreign secretary Emma Graham (Claire Rushbrook) and her husband Bill (Nicholas Gleaves) threatens to collapse when a 'wikileaks' style data breach of the names of members of an extra-marital affairs website threatens to reach the tabloids. Ruth holds a dinner party in celebration of Rose's impending nuptials, but the evening descends into disaster when a drunken Nina fails to watch her mouth and berates both Rose and Nathan for their marital indiscretions.
55"Episode 5"Jessica HobbsAbi Morgan and Louise Ironside22 May 2018 (2018-05-22)5.69[17]
Rose's engagement to James is left in tatters and Hannah struggles to pick up the pieces of her own marriage as the fallout from Nina's revelations continue. Nina discovers that the family business is effectively bankrupt and urges Ruth to sell while the market is still viable. Goldie turns down a settlement offer from Davey, but events take an unexpected turn when the pair end up spending the night together. Nina turns to Rex Pope for comfort, while Hannah is forced to confront her feelings for Christie after discovering that Nathan's indiscretions amount to more than just signing up to a dating website.
66"Episode 6"Jessica HobbsAbi Morgan29 May 2018 (2018-05-29)5.54[17]
D-Day arrives for the McKenzies as their bitter divorce finally comes to a head, but Hannah is left torn between her head and her heart after learning that her winning the case could potentially spark the end of Defoes. James and Rose's wedding day goes off without a hitch, but after learning that Christie is to take up a new job in Chicago, the celebrations force Hannah to finally make a decision about the future of her marriage.

Season 2 (2020)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.K viewers
(millions)
71"Episode 1"Paula Van Der OestAbi Morgan11 February 2020 (2020-02-11)6.46
Hannah meets a TV presenter who needs her help, Ruth comes to terms with a different pace of life, and Zander introduces an unsettling new colleague to the firm.
82"Episode 2"Paula Van Der OestAbi Morgan18 February 2020 (2020-02-18)4.82
As Hannah prepares Fi Hansen for her divorce, she feels increasingly stressed by the double life she is leading with Christie.
93"Episode 3"Paula Van Der OestAbi Morgan and Matt Jones25 February 2020 (2020-02-25)4.61
Hannah’s personal and professional lives collide when Nathan helps out with the Hansen case, as she desperately tries to cover up evidence of her affair with Christie.
104"Episode 4"Joss AgnewAbi Morgan and Matt Jones2 March 2020 (2020-03-02)[18]4.99
Secrets come out and lies unravel as Hannah deals with the fallout from her anniversary party, while the Noble Hale Defoe team attend an awards ceremony for Ruth. Meanwhile, there's a nasty surprise in the Hansen case as Fi makes a revelation to Hannah that threatens to undermine their case.
115"Episode 5"Joss AgnewAbi Morgan10 March 2020 (2020-03-10)5.46
Richie’s and Fi’s sex tape is leaked. Hannah finds out that Christie is sleeping with Fi, their client and that Fi’s house was bugged by Richie. As the Hansen case escalates, and with the revelation of Hannah and Christie’s affair out in the open, Hannah tries to make amends and rebuild her marriage. Hannah reveals to Nathan that she slept with Christie the night before their wedding.
126"Episode 6"Joss AgnewAbi Morgan17 March 2020 (2020-03-17)5.76
After Hannah's heartbreaking confession to Nathan about the night before their wedding, their marriage is in turmoil. Nina reveals to Rex that she is pregnant with his child which she plans to raise alone. At Zander and Tyler’s engagement party at the office, Nina kisses Tyler. Hannah and Nathan reveal to their children about their decision to separate. Ruth, Hannah and Rose accompany Nina to her doctor’s visit and when they return home they find out that Nathan has moved out of the house leaving his ring behind.

Season 3 (2022)
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.K viewers
(millions)
131"Episode 1"Dee Koppang O’LearyAbi Morgan4 April 2022 (2022-04-04)4.62
Hannah meets Nathan’s new girlfriend Kate. Liv brings her boyfriend Gael home. Ruth has started a podcast about marriage and divorce called LoveCast. Nina is still continuing her affair with Tyler. James is hit by a car while on his bike. He is pronounced dead.
142"Episode 2"Dee Koppang O’LearyAbi Morgan11 April 2022 (2022-04-11)4.17
The family prepares for James's funeral and it is revealed that James’s heart has been donated. Nathan tells Hannah about Kate’s pregnancy. Rose visits the police station to get James’s bike and phone. The Defoes attend Kate’s book launch. Ruth calls Christie and asks him to come back to London.
153"Episode 3"Dee Koppang O’LearyAbi Morgan18 April 2022 (2022-04-18)4.04
Christie returns to London and checks in to a hotel. Nina and Tyler decide to buy a house together. Still grieving, Rose donates James’s clothes to the church. Kate meets Nathan’s children at their home and cooks for them; Olivia deduces Kate’s pregnancy and walks out on them and gets drunk; this causes further friction between Hannah and Kate. Ronnie proposes to Ruth. Christie and Hannah sleep together at his hotel.
164"Episode 4"Abi MorganAbi Morgan25 April 2022 (2022-04-25)4.26
Christie and Hannah continue sleeping at the hotel; Christie proposes that Hannah move with him to New York. Ruth reveals Tyler’s frauds to Zander. Nathan and Hannah negotiate the division of their assets in the presence of their lawyers. Rose babysits the priest’s children.
175"Episode 5"Abi Morgan and Dee Koppang O’LearyAbi Morgan2 May 2022 (2022-05-02)4.20
The Defoes, Ronnie, Gael and Nathan go on a family camping trip. Rose grapples with James’s absence at the trip. Ruth on learning about Nina’s and Tyler’s affairs informs Nina about Tyler’s frauds. Nina returns home and finds Tyler gone with all her money. Returning back from the trip Nathan and Hannah spend the night in the van; Kate sees them together in the morning creating misunderstandings between her and Nathan. Zander, devastated by Tyler’s deception, takes a break from work making Hannah the managerial head of the firm in his absence. Nina gives her resignation letter to Zander which he refuses to accept yet.
186"Episode 6"Dee Koppang O’LearyAbi Morgan9 May 2022 (2022-05-09)4.27
Nathan has second thoughts about his divorce. Hannah visits Kate informing her that she is ready to accept her in their family. Hannah and Nathan decide to go through the divorce amiably, without the presence of lawyers, dividing the assets between the two. Kate bonds with Nathan’s children. Zander returns the resignation letter to Nina asking her not to leave the firm. Rose pays a visit to the recipient of James’s heart. Hannah calls Christie and tells him that she loves him but she can’t leave behind her family and move to New York with him. Ronnie and Ruth finally get married. Nathan and Kate are happy together at the wedding. The episode ends with Ruth interviewing Hannah and Nathan on her podcast.

References
  1. Schwindt, Oriana (13 January 2017). "SundanceTV Partners With BBC One for Abi Morgan's 'The Split'". Variety.
  2. Tartaglione, Nancy (24 August 2016). "BBC One Orders Drama 'The Split' From Abi Morgan; Thandie Newton Joins 'Line Of Duty' Season 4 – Edinburgh". Deadline.com.
  3. Petski, Denise (28 June 2017). "'The Split': SundanceTV & BBC One Round Out Cast For Abi Morgan Drama Series". Deadline.com.
  4. "BBC - Second series of Abi Morgan's original BBC One drama The Split begins production - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk.
  5. "TV Choice Awards 2022 Shortlist Nominations Announced". Bauer Media. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  6. Lawes, Ruth. "National Television Awards 2022 nominations revealed". Metro News. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  7. Selby, Jenn (11 February 2020). "The Split season 2 cast: who stars with Nicola Walker in the new series, and when it starts on BBC One tonight". i News. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  8. "The Split season 3 episode 1 cast: Who is in the cast?". 5 April 2022.
  9. "The Split". 4 June 2018 – via Amazon.
  10. The Split series 2 BBC air date, cast, trailer, plot by Emma Nolan, 30 May 2018.
  11. "Donna Air lands role in The Split as second series goes into production". Radio Times.
  12. "NEW TV ROLE EXCLUSIVE: Damien Molony joins BBC One legal drama 'The Split'". 11 July 2019.
  13. "BBC One Sets Premiere Date For 'The Split' For Season 2". 29 January 2020.
  14. Lyons, Margaret (21 May 2020). "How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend?". New York Times. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  15. Kent Film Office. "Kent Film Office The Split article".
  16. "How many episodes in The Split season 3 and are they all on BBC iPlayer?". 4 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  17. "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  18. "BBC One on Twitter". BBC One. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
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