Abi Morgan’s hit drama The Split will return to BBC One for a second series!
The first series, starring Nicola Walker (Last Tango In Halifax), Stephen Mangan (Episodes), Fiona Button (Lip Service), Annabel Scholey (Being Human), Anthony Head (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks) was a shmash for the Beeb, with the first episode racking up 6 million consolidated viewers, and 2.2 million requests on iPlayer in the month following the launch.
The Split series 2 cast
Donna Air (Hotel Babylon) is joining the cast in series 2. It’ll be her first TV role for almost a decade, and she’ll be playing “one half of a powerful celebrity couple who now wants out of her marriage” according to Deadline. Ben Bailey (Doctor Who) will star as her husband.
The Split series 2 plot
The Split follows the Defoe family in the hectic bubble of the capital’s divorce circuit, and explores what marriage and commitment really mean in an ever-changing world.
“It’s a delight and a privilege to bring The Split back for series two and to submerge myself once more into the world of Noble, Hale and Defoe and the lives of Hannah and her sisters,” said Abi Morgan in a statement. “Thank you to the BBC and the enthusiasm of viewers and we look forward to seeing you in 2019.”
And it looks like the Defoe sisters won’t be getting a much-needed break in series 2, according to Sister Pictures exec Jane Featherstone. “I am thrilled that we’re going to be able to continue to explore their lives in even more detail in a second series. Expect things to get even messier for the Defoe sisters and those closest to them.”
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, added “In its first outing Abi and the team at Sister Pictures crafted a series which felt bold, modern and original and quite unlike anything else on our screens. We are delighted that it is returning to BBC One for a second series.”
The Split series 2 release date
We’ve heard nothing yet, but early-2020 sounds likely. We’ll update you with an exact air date when one is confirmed.