THE SPLIT UP: FIRST LOOK IMAGES AND CASTING FOR UPCOMING BBC LEGAL DRAMA

The BBC and SISTER have released a first look at The Split Up, a new six-part legal drama for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

With story and characters created by Ursula Rani Sarma (Bodkin, Delicious), based on The Split, created by multiple award-winning Abi Morgan (The Split, Eric). The series is produced by SISTER in association with Little Chick.

The new pictures reveal the first glimpse of the Kishan Law family - set within the charged world of Manchester’s high-net-worth divorce circuit - a powerhouse British-South Asian family firm, and the go-to for the city’s elite. At its centre is Ritu Arya as Aria Kishan, a fast-rising star of Kishan Law, poised to step up and take the mantle from her father Dhruv, played by Sanjeev Bhaskar, and Aria’s siblings Maya (Aysha Kala), Kav (Arian Nik), and partner Neal (Danny Ashok).

In The Split Up, the death of Aria’s mother has cast a new light over succession plans for Dhruv, who has begun to wonder if his daughter can, or should, take on this responsibility single-handedly.

Aria’s relationship is placed under scrutiny too with the wedding to long-term partner Neal on the horizon, but with their personal and professional lives so entwined it’s unclear if their relationship can withstand any more pressure - a problem further compounded when a former secret flame (Dimitri Leonidas) arrives in Manchester unexpectedly.

Alongside her siblings Maya and Kav, whose own relationships and loyalties are far from straightforward, Aria must navigate the splits that divide family and those we love – and ask herself: who should you live your life for?

The Split Up stars Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy), Sanjeev Bhaskar (Unforgotten), Aysha Kala (Virdee), Arian Nik (Film Club), Danny Ashok (Dinosaur), Dimitri Leonidas (Those About To Die), Mawaan Rizwan (Juice), Sindhu Vee (Matilda the Musical), Shalini Peiris (The White Lotus) and Tom Forbes (Queenie).

The series also welcomes a host of standout guest stars, including Lenny Henry (Three Little Birds), Jane Horrocks (Bloods) and Jameela Jamil (The Good Place).

The Split Up’s story and characters are created by Ursula Rani Sarma, based on The Split, created by Abi Morgan.