Another year, another Manchester TV production coming to fruition – this time, it’s the long-awaited follow-up to the much loved The Split, named The Split Up. The Split Up brings a new family, a new city and a new set of relationships to the charged world of high-net-worth divorce law.
The Split Up is centred around Kishan Law – a British South Asian family law firm, known for their clientele and reputation. They are the ‘go to firm’ for a wide cross section of Manchester’s elite, who come to them for their excellence, integrity, and discretion.
Poised to step up and take the mantle from her father Dhruv, is Aria Kishan, a fast-rising star in the Manchester family law scene. But the death of her mother, Raina, six months prior, has cast a new light over these plans for Dhruv, who has begun to wonder if his daughter can, or should, take on this responsibility single handedly.
The drama stars the likes of Ritu Arya (Aria Kishan), Sanjeev Bhaskar (Dhruv Kishan), Aysha Kala (Maya Kishan), Arian Nik (Kav Kishan), Danny Ashok (Neal Sharma) and so many more, so where did this star-studded cast spend their time filming in Manchester?
The Split Up Greater Manchester filming locations
Leigh Town Hall
A huge starring role in The Split Up comes in the form of Leigh Town Hall. The civic building in the borough of Wigan serves as the Kishan Law Firm offices throughout, with the Edwardian Baroque architecture strikingly present.
Completed in 1907, Leigh Town Hall was visited by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1938, and it was refurbished in 2019 – perfect for standing in as law firm offices.
Altrincham
Altrincham cafe So Marrakech was closed down and taken over by film crews last autumn for the filming of The Split Up. The gorgeous surroundings of Altrincham town centre, and the grandeur of the building itself fits perfectly with the elite vibe of the show, and fits in perfectly.
Gay Village
No stranger to the big and small screen, Manchester’s Gay Village also makes an appearance in The Split Up. Aria’s brother Kav has a main story ark related to his sexuality, and with a show made and set in Manchester, what better place to interrogate it?
The visuals of Canal Street, with its red brick buildings, traditional cobbles and colourful, vibrant décor, is perfect for the screen, and always recognisable to the viewer.
Other filming locations
Screen Manchester supported filming in the following city centre locations:
- Lost in Tokyo
- SEESAW
- Vermilion
- Maya
- Pulp Coffee
- Climat
- Manchester Hall
- Manchester Reform Club
- Native Manchester
- The Edwardian
- St John’s Gardens
- Sackville Gardens
- Little David Street
- The Glass Works
You can watch The Split Up on BBC iPlayer now, or catch it on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday and Monday.
