The BBC's legal drama, 'The Split,' has been reimagined and relocated to Manchester for its spin-off, 'The Split Up.' The new series features a completely different cast and places significant emphasis on the Hindu culture of the second-generation British family at its center, led by patriarch Dhruv Kishan, played by Sanjeev Bhaskar. Despite the superficial changes and cultural additions, the show retains the fundamental storyline and format of the original series.
Similar to its predecessor, 'The Split Up' focuses on the complicated love lives of three siblings and follows the firm as it handles divorce cases for wealthy or celebrity clients. In this iteration, the siblings' parents, Alex and Tash, portrayed by Lenny Henry and Jane Horrocks, are podcasters whose public image of a perfect marriage is tested when Tash is involved in a paparazzi-scandal with a younger woman. Writer Ursula Rani Sarma incorporates cultural references, such as Dhruv's frequent retelling of his arrival in the UK with limited resources and the younger generation's use of 'Aunty' for older women, regardless of familial relation.
The series also explores the family's deep-seated traditions. The aunties, aware of Kav's (Arian Nik) homosexuality, inquire about his plans for finding a bride. The show's cultural elements extend to a shrine dedicated to Dhruv's late wife, serving as a constant reminder of her presence. The first episode culminates in an engagement party that showcases the family's Indian heritage through elaborate costumes and a cast dance routine, blending Bollywood aesthetics with the Manchester setting.