The BBC has reportedly paused plans for a spin-off of hit legal drama The Split.
In February, it was announced that the broadcaster had greenlit a spin-off of the popular show starring Nicola Walker and Stephen Mangan, which ran for three series from 2018-2022.
However, Deadline has now reported that the BBC has "paused indefinitely" on the project, which was set to start filming soon in Manchester. An insider has claimed the decision was due to "editorial reasons".
Related: BBC's new Northern Irish drama with The Split star lets itself down
According to the publication, the broadcaster remains committed to the spin-off, with a new shoot date expected at some point. Digital Spy has reached out to the BBC for comment.
The six-part series titled The Split Up is set to follow a new family of legal experts — the Kishans.
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"Kishan Law is a British-Asian high net worth family law firm in Manchester, noted for its clientele and its reputation," the official synopsis states. "They are the ‘go to firm’ for Manchester’s elite, who come to them for their excellence, integrity, and discretion.
"But the future and legacy of Kishan Law hangs in the balance when a family secret from the past comes to light, throwing their professional and personal lives into turmoil."
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While The Split Up is set in the same universe as Abi Morgan's The Split, the spin-off is written instead by Ursula Rani Sarma, whose writing credits include Sky's dark comedy series Delicious.
Most recently, Morgan has seen success with Netflix series Eric starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
Fans of the original The Split series can look forward to a two-part follow-up special coming later this year.
In May, it was announced that The Split will return for two episodes, which sees the Defoe ladies in Barcelona for a wedding. Set two years after the season three finale, Walker and Mangan will be reprising their roles alongside Fiona Button and Annabel Scholey, with Toby Stephens joining the cast.
The Split Up doesn't have a release window on BBC One and BBC iPlayer yet.
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Emily is an experienced freelance entertainment writer and editor, reporting on all things TV, film, soaps and showbiz. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, with a First Class Honours degree in Journalism from the University of Sussex, Emily is a former Deputy News Editor and Evening News Editor at Digital Spy. She has previously worked at Hello magazine, BBC South News and GoodtoKnow.
A small and big-screen obsessive – with subscriptions to every TV and film service under the sun – Emily knows her movie stars from soap stars, and is always clued up on the latest reality show dumping, just-dropped trailer or off-screen spat. She's interviewed a number of celebrities over the years, with highlights including The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett and GMB's Kate Garraway (who "loved" her trousers).
Emily counts Sharon Horgan and Julia Davis as her TV heroes, and is a loyal Wes Anderson fan. LinkedIn
