BBC Returning To ‘The Split’ With Barcelona-Set Special

The final season may have concluded in 2022 but the BBC isn’t letting go of legal drama The Split just yet, with a Barcelona-set special greenlit three months after a Manchester spin off.

Abi Morgan‘s show ended in 2022 after three seasons but the BBC has since ordered The Split Up in February and is now heading to Spain for a two-parter with Nicola Walker‘s Hannah and family, while Toby Stephens is set to join the cast.

In the special, the Defoes are back and have gathered for a beautiful wedding at a vineyard, nestled in Catalonia’s wine region. Set across one sun soaked weekend, The Split special will encompass break-ups, reunions and plenty romance.

Stephens (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Black Sails) will play new character Archie Moore, while most of the original cast are set to return.

“In a world of brutal break ups and tantalising make ups, the Defoe family are invited to a destination wedding of their own, promising all that audiences have grown to love about The Split,” said Morgan.

The Split, which aired on Sundance TV and BBC America in the U.S., was one of the BBC’s most popular new dramas of the past few years and has sold to nearly 120 territories, with four local format adaptations. The spin-off featured on a mega BBC slate earlier this year and will be penned by Ursula Rani Sarma (Smother).

The series is produced by Chernobyl maker Sister and is sold by BBC Studios. The Split special is written by Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour), directed by Giulia Gandini (Shetland) and produced by Jennie Fava (The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin). EPs are Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, This is Going to Hurt), Lucy Dyke (The Split, Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Morgan.