The Split Up cast reveal how representation on TV has changed since The
Kumars at No. 42

Date:
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:07:00 +0000

Description:
The Split Up is out now in full on BBC iPlayer but, if you're thinking about representation, you're asking the wrong question.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter All six episodes of The Split
Up are now on BBC iPlayer and, in the best possible way, it feels a world apart from main series The Split . Both are about families involved in
divorce law, but the shape of their family dynamics look entirely different.

The new spin-off follows the Kishan family firm, with Aria (Ritu Arya) poised to take over leadership from her father Dhruv (Sanjeev Bhaskar). However, the death of Aria's mother six months prior causes Dhruv to hesitate. Add in a workplace love triangle, complicated siblings, and a messy divorce trial walking through their doors every week, and you've got a pretty delicious watch. But, I quickly wondered whether viewers would become preoccupied with the show's (excellent) South Asian representation so much so that it overshadowed what actually happens in each episode. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Based on press and public reactions to its opening weekend, I was right. The Daily Mirror has reported that fans have "switched off" in droves, while comment section of the YouTube trailer (which you can catch up with below) is sporting exactly the kind of racist rubbish you'd expect from the internet.

However, before any episodes were released, I asked the cast how they felt about others making The Split Up 's focal point its representation and, as expected, their answers were even more insightful than I could have expected. You may like The Split Up creators want three seasons to tell full Split spinoff story on BBC iPlayer How to watch The Split Up online for FREE
stream legal drama from anywhere Last Seen on Apple TV has emotional
storyline ending you won't anticipate, star teases 'The Split Up goes beyond representation' The Split Up | Official trailer - BBC - YouTube Watch On "Ursula [Rani Sarma, writer] beautifully said that The Split Up goes beyond representation, and there's a universality in how we all feel human," star Arya told me. "I couldn't agree more. It's all about how we bring our authentic selves to the table... I find that a lot more interesting to talk about."

I love how simple yet effective this answer is, but it's Bhaskar's take that I'm the most interested in. Long-time fans of his will know that he was the star and co-creator of the 2001 comedy chat show The Kumars at No. 42 , which followed a British Indian family supporting the fictional Sanjeev's dreams to be a TV presenter. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

More than two decades on, I still can't believe that Meera Syal, who later married Bhaskar, was the woman playing his grandmother.

"I've got some experience in terms of representation versus family because of The Kumars at No. 42, " he said. "That did pretty well around the world even though it was about a British Asian family interviewing guests in their
London home. The reason for that was because it was a family... and everyone understands that.

"In terms of people tuning into The Split Up , if they decide to look at representation, that's more of a political issue. Most people will see a family and see themselves reflected in that. The Split did so well, and at no point did I watch it and think of it as a matriarch having nothing to do with me. I watched it as a drama. I think people who will enjoy this will not be thinking about representation."

I couldn't have said it any better myself and trust me, The Split Up is a drama not to be missed. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/bbc-iplayer/the-split-up-cast-reveals-how- representation-on-tv-has-changed-since-the-kumars-at-no-42-if-youre-enjoying-t his-you-wont-be-thinking-about-it


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)