The Split Up cast: Who stars in the BBC drama?

Abi Morgan's The Split was one of the BBC's standout dramas and now, fans of the series (and new fans alike) will be able to enjoy brand new spin-off, The Split Up, which has been created by Ursula Rani Sarma.

The six-part legal drama focuses on an entirely new family, transplanting the familiar messy and glamorous world of family law from London to Manchester. This time the story revolves around the Kishans, a British South Asian family who run Kishan Law, the go-to firm for Manchester's elite in their moments of personal crisis.

At the centre is Aria Kishan, a rising star poised to take over from her father Dhruv, but his confidence in her has wavered since the death of her mother six months earlier. With her wedding to fiancé Neal in doubt, a former flame arriving at the firm and a long-buried family secret threatening everything, Aria must navigate love, loss and litigation alongside her siblings Maya and Kav.

But who's who in the new series? Below is a full guide to the actors and characters appearing in the latest season.

• Ritu Arya as Aria Kishan
• Sanjeev Bhaskar as Dhruv Kishan
• Aysha Kala as Maya Kishan
• Arian Nik as Kav Kishan
• Danny Ashok as Neal Sharma
• Dimitri Leonidas as Luke Christos
• Sindhu Vee as Harshika Sharma
• Mawaan Rizwan as Ashok Khan
• Shalini Peiris as Zoya
• Tom Forbes as Michael
• Debbie Rush as Linda
• Ramon Tikaram as Rhik
• Jameela Jamil as Nisha
• Adam Woodward as Shaun
• Lenny Henry as Alex
• Jane Horrocks as Tash

Ritu Arya as Aria Kishan

About the character: Aria continues to strive in Manchester's family law scene and is the obvious heir to Kishan Law. Ambitious, impulsive and fiercely protective of her siblings, we soon see how her professional drive overlaps with a personal life that is quietly falling apart, particularly around her engagement to Neal.

Where you've seen Ritu Arya before: Arya first drew notice as Dr Megan Sharma in the BBC soap Doctors, a role that earned her a British Soap Award nomination, before playing the synth Flash in Channel 4's Humans. She had a guest turn in Doctor Who and appeared in the film Last Christmas, but her breakout came as Lila Pitts in Netflix's The Umbrella Academy, which she joined in season 2 and played through the show's final run. She has also appeared in Barbie, the Netflix film Red Notice, Paris Has Fallen and Polite Society.

Sanjeev Bhaskar as Dhruv Kishan

About the character: Dhruv is the patriarch who founded Kishan Law more than 30 years ago. Recently widowed and nearing retirement, he sees a younger version of himself in his driven daughter Aria – but starts to underestimate her ability to take over.

Where you've seen Sanjeev Bhaskar before: Bhaskar is perhaps best known for being a part of the ensemble on sketch series Goodness Gracious Me and as the host of spoof chat show The Kumars at No. 42. His more dramatic work includes Dr Prem Sharma in The Indian Doctor and, most prominently, DI Sunny Khan in ITV's Unforgotten.

Aysha Kala as Maya Kishan

About the character: Maya is Aria's elder sister, a former lawyer who left the profession a decade ago to become a stay-at-home mum to her two children. She is also married to judge Michael. Pragmatic and quick to point out the obvious to her siblings, she has taken on more of a maternal role in the family since their mother died.

Where you've seen Aysha Kala before: Kala began her TV career as Sita Desai in Shameless before playing Sooni Dalal in Channel 4's Indian Summers. Her later credits include Call the Midwife, Master of None, The Undeclared War, Criminal Record and the BBC crime thriller Virdee.

Arian Nik as Kav Kishan

About the character: Kav is the youngest Kishan, somewhat living in the shadow of his sisters and father after failing his final law exams twice. Openly queer but unsuccessful in love, Kav's real struggle is with his own sense of self but soon starts figuring out more about it.

Where you've seen Arian Nik before: The Leeds-born actor led the vampire comedy Count Abdulla and has appeared in ITV's The Bay and the drama Passenger, plus Killing Eve, Ackley Bridge and films including Dating Amber and The Beekeeper. He has also more recently starred in Film Club and Daddy Issues.

Danny Ashok as Neal Sharma

About the character: Neal is Aria's long-term partner and fiancé. An often reliable and dependent force in Aria's life, Neal has won the trust of Dhruv, which only puts a spanner in the works when he starts thinking of who will take over the firm.

Where you've seen Danny Ashok before: Ashok's screen credits include the BBC crime drama CB Strike, Dinosaur and the Channel 4 series Capital, alongside theatre work.

Dimitri Leonidas as Luke Christos

About the character: Luke is a blast from Aria's past and is a new unexpected hire made by Dhruv, with Luke having left London for the Manchester firm.

Where you've seen Dimitri Leonidas before: Leonidas played Sam Epstein in The Monuments Men and Christos Clios in the Sky drama Riviera, with earlier work including Centurion, Sindbad and Doctor Who.

Mawaan Rizwan as Ashok Khan

About the character: Ashok continues to be a thorn in the Kishan family's side, using his online platform to blow off the lid and expose any simmering legal cases they may be at the helm of.

Where you've seen Mawaan Rizwan before: Rizwan built an early following on YouTube before moving into stand-up and TV writing, including episodes of Netflix's Sex Education. He created, wrote and starred in the BBC Three sitcom Juice, which won him a BAFTA for best male comedy performance in 2024.

Shalini Peiris as Zoya

About the character: Peiris plays Zoya, who was born and raised in Delhi, India but finds herself in Manchester by way of a high-profile case – and seems to be hiding some secrets of her own.

Where you've seen Shalini Peiris before: Peiris has built up a run of recognisable British screen credits, including recurring roles as Dr Sanjivni Kabir in the sci-fi drama The Ark and Naomi in The Danny & Mick Show. She has also appeared in Vera, The Good Karma Hospital, There She Goes and 3 Body Problem, and more recently played Amrita in the third season of HBO's The White Lotus.

Tom Forbes as Michael

About the character: Forbes plays Michael, Maya's husband who is also in the legal profession but works as a judge. He leads a very busy work life but tries to make time for his wife and children.

Where you've seen Tom Forbes before: Forbes played Prince Louis in the second season of Sky History's Knightfall and has appeared in dramas including The Royals, Bulletproof, Domina and Rules of the Game. His more recent work includes the BBC and Channel 4 drama Champion and the Channel 4 series Queenie.

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The Split Up will premiere on Sunday 20 and Monday 21 September at 9pm on BBC One.

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