The Split is returning to the BBC very soon with a two-part special, with the cast once again being led by Nicola Walker.

The legal drama finished its three-series run in 2022, but writer Abi Morgan has penned a small follow-up.

Titled 'The Split: Barcelona' it will see the Defoe family travel abroad to celebrate the wedding of Hannah (Walker) and Nathan's (Stephan Mangan) daughter Liv (Elizabeth Roberts).

An official synopsis of the two-parter reads: "We left the final series with Hannah and Nathan attempting to divide up their 20 years together, and trying to navigate their way through a 'good divorce', questioning whether that is even possible.

"Two years on, formidable family lawyer Hannah Defoe (Nicola Walker) and her family are back and have gathered for a beautiful wedding at a magnificent vineyard, nestled in Catalonia’s wine region.

"Set across one sun-soaked weekend, The Split will encompass break-ups, reunions and, like all good weddings, plenty of romance.

"As the sun rises over the glorious Spanish countryside, Hannah is compelled to banish the ghosts of her past and open herself up to the possibility of love again. Can she find the courage to take the leap into a new future?"

Speaking to the Radio Times, writer Abi Morgan discussed some of her inspirations for the new follow-up.

She said: "The BBC have always been incredibly supportive of the show and they suggested the idea of a special, as a way to get this family together again that doesn’t demand the commitment to six episodes.

"Very quickly, I thought about those beautiful shows abroad that I love, from The White Lotus through to Mamma Mia and Love Island.

"There is something about the escapism of a beautiful city, another country that has a similar but different culture and Spain felt very immediate to us."

Morgan was also keen to explore this family dynamic in a more relaxed environment, away from the corporate world of Noble, Hale Defoe.

She explained: "We liked the idea of taking this family out of the place that they're known for and out of the urban slick environment, the cool aesthetic of London and that high-end end of divorce."

BBC The Split: Barcelona full cast list

  • Nicola Walker as Hannah
  • Annabel Scholey as Nina
  • Fiona Button as Rose
  • Deborah Findlay as Ruth
  • Stephen Mangan as Nathan
  • Toby Stephens as Archie
  • Ian McElhinney as Prof Ronnie
  • Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Glen
  • Elizabeth Roberts as Liv
  • Alex Guersman as Gael
  • Romina Cocca as Valentina
  • Manu Fullola as Alvaro
  • Tibu Fortes as Julian
  • Amanda Goldsmith as Wren
  • Dariam Coco as Lola

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When will The Split: Barcelona be on TV?

The Split: Barcelona will air its first episode at 9 pm on Sunday, December 29 on BBC One.

The second part will follow at the same timeslot on the following day (Monday, December 30).

After that, the episodes will be available to watch on the BBC iPlayer.