The Split Up introduces gay romance as BBC’s new The Split spin-off arrives

The Split Up has arrived on BBC One and iPlayer, bringing a new family, a new Manchester setting and an LGBTQ+ love story into the world first established by hit legal drama The Split.

The six-part spin-off centres on the Kishans, a British South Asian family behind Kishan Law, one of Manchester’s leading high-net-worth divorce firms. Ritu Arya leads the cast as ambitious lawyer Aria Kishan, while Sanjeev Bhaskar plays her father and the firm’s founder, Dhruv.

But alongside the divorces, family secrets and complicated relationships surrounding the firm, younger brother Kav has a story of his own.

Played by Arian Nik, Kav is openly gay and begins developing a relationship with Ashok, played by Mawaan Rizwan.

Importantly, the series does not make Kav’s sexuality something he has to reveal to his family or seek their approval over.

Kav is already out, loved and supported by those around him. Instead, his struggle is much more personal as he tries to work out where he belongs within both his family and the business.

Arian said that was one of the things that attracted him to the character, explaining that seeing a gay brown man whose journey was about accepting himself rather than winning parental approval felt “really fresh and original”.

While Kav has failed his final law exams twice and is struggling with his direction in life, Ashok is confident, outspoken and already has a considerable online presence. He also happens to be something of an enemy of Kishan Law.

That makes their developing relationship particularly interesting as Kav finds himself drawn towards someone who appears to possess much of the confidence he is still trying to find for himself.

What is The Split Up about?

The new drama comes from the makers of The Split but moves away from its original London family.

Aria is preparing to take control of Kishan Law from Dhruv while also planning her wedding to long-term partner Neal. Her professional and personal worlds begin colliding when a former secret flame unexpectedly arrives in Manchester.

Alongside Aria and Kav is their sister Maya, played by Aysha Kala, creating a new family at the centre of the franchise.

The cast also includes Danny Ashok, Dimitri Leonidas, Shalini Peiris, Tom Forbes and Sindhu Vee, with guest appearances from Lenny Henry, Jane Horrocks and Jameela Jamil.

Written by Ursula Rani Sarma and based on the world created by Abi Morgan, The Split Up premiered on September 20. Viewers wanting to get ahead of the television broadcasts do not have to wait, either, as the BBC released all six episodes on iPlayer at launch.

The Split Up is available in full on BBC iPlayer, with episodes also airing on BBC One at 9pm on Sundays and Mondays.