after two years away from screens and the stars of the divorce drama recently chatted to about the ‘messy’ series that lies ahead.
The British legal drama, created by Abi Morgan, was the third most-watched series on BBC iPlayer in 2020 after it last aired.
At the end of season two, high-flying divorce lawyer Hannah Stern’s (Nicola Walker) marriage to her husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan) came to a heartbreaking end after her affair with Christie Carmichael (Barry Atsma) was discovered.
They begin to divide up their 20 years together in the new episodes, but their dream of achieving the ‘good divorce’ is left in tatters – and after an unexpected revelation, it’s an all-out war.
Whilst Hannah’s former flame Christie has – for now – swapped the streets of London for New York, her sister Nina’s trying to balance her demanding career alongside looking after her baby daughter… and continuing her love affair with boss Tyler (Damien Molony).
Youngest sister Rose will begin looking into other ways to fulfil her dream of having children with her husband James (Rudi Dharmalingam) after a heartbreaking miscarriage, and matriarch Ruth (Deborah Findlay) may finally let her guard slip as she rekindles her relationship with old friend Ronnie.
We sat down with the cast of the beloved programme to give a few teasers on what fans – and it’s a lot.
Nina’s embracing mum life just as you’d expect
At the end of season two, we saw Nina reveal she was expecting a baby with her ex-boyfriend Rex (Matthew Baynton), but it was tainted with sadness after her younger sister Rose (Fiona Button) miscarried her first child.
Actress Annabel confirmed Nina’s had a little girl, which has helped soften the tension between the sisters, sharing: ‘I feel like we are starting season three in a better place, because the baby, called Cora, she has arrived and is part of the family – that’s definitely eased some of the conflict.
‘Nina needs some of Rose’s help and Rose is brilliantly and lovingly giving it to her. If anything, the baby has brought them back together.’
Fiona weighed in: ‘The pregnancy is almost the thing that ignites the jealousy in Rose, the birth, the reality of a tiny baby that is her niece evaporates all that, there is a tiny person there, the jealousy goes.
‘She’s experiencing those huge feelings when a niece or a nephew is born and enjoying that and also a little bit frustrated at Nina, palming off her baby on her quite a lot!’
Rose and James start the adoption process
Fans saw Rose show her skills as a natural mother in her work as a nanny before she fell pregnant. But in season three, viewers will see Rose and James accept they won’t conceive naturally and rule out IVF.
As she and James go down the path of adoption, they won’t quite be on the same page, with Fiona explaining: ‘James is, very confidently, going forward with that, Rose quite characteristically is having a last-minute panic and struggling with all the fears she is experiencing with potentially adopting someone else’s kid.
The character will really come into her own in the finale, with Fiona adding: ‘This is the series where Rose really does some growing and grows up. She is quite different to season one and two Rose, where she was very much… not the baby, but the younger sibling, that was the main gist of it. There is a departure from that, and I really enjoyed it.’
Nina and Tyler’s affair set to continue – right under Zander’s nose
Damien outlined where viewers find his alter ego Tyler at the start of season three: ‘He’s married to Zander now, the last time we saw him, he was at the wedding reception kissing Nina. He is this fascinating and complicated character, he is an addict and he has found a kindred spirit in Nina.
‘All I’m really allowed to say is that none of the relationships in The Split are straightforward!’
‘As the series develops, Tyler finds himself in complicated positions and I think what was great for me was having [the writer] Abi on set all the time to navigate that with. It was difficult to sometimes know whether Tyler was knowingly reacting to certain situations or acting more instinctively – Abi was an absolute godsend,’ the actor noted.
But is Damien happy with how the series ends for Tyler? ‘I’m happy that everything is resolved for Nina,’ he teased.
But Tyler’s betrayal won’t go unpunished
Usually cautious Zander Hale (Chukwudi Iwuji) will start off very happy with the crazy decision he made in last season’s finale, to marry mysterious Tyler.
It won’t be smooth-sailing for long, with Chukwudi revealing ‘teething issues’ as they make it past the honeymoon stage: ‘It’s an early marriage but also at the beginnings of those teething issues, where we start to think, what are those expectations of each partner? How do you balance what one partner might want versus the other partner?’
He also explained how the nature of the ‘work relationship’ creates additional issues: ‘Where we find Zander at the beginning is in the honeymoon stage but still trying to keep it that way but obviously – because this is The Split – things are going to become a lot more complicated…’
Tyler’s world could come crashing down, as Chukwudi hinted his affair will soon come out.
‘Nothing in the world of The Split goes unpunished,’ the actor reminded us. ‘There’s a reason that happened and it’s going to have to be addressed. I remember the reaction of friends and family, they were so mad! It’s going to be wonderful seeing how that’s going to be resolved, there are consequences.’
Ruth’s relationship with Ronnie develops
We saw fiercely independent Ruth grow close to former flame Prof Ronnie (Ian McElhinney) in season two, which will continue to develop in the finale.
Deborah told us: ‘Ronnie’s always been there for her and the daughters. He’s been a rock. [Ruth] is a very independent woman, has had her career, but there has been a man in the background and he’s come back into their lives and that’s a comfort.
‘It’s also a dilemma for her as well because she is a freedom-loving person and having gotten out of the horrible relationship she had with her husband, she doesn’t really want to get back into another one, she’s very mixed about settling down with anyone else, but he’s definitely an element in their lives now.’
And she also gets very into podcasting
Of where Ruth’s at in season three, Deborah said: ‘She’s still very much working, that’s her mode but she’s got into podcasts in a big way which is great fun!
We think Ruth will be a natural podcaster.
Deborah became a firm fan of podcasts herself as she got to grips with her character’s new obsession, adding: ‘They were amazing, particularly in lockdown!’
Christie’s not giving up just yet
With Hannah’s 20-year marriage to Nathan over, there’s another opportunity for Christie to slide back in. But in typical The Split style, it won’t be so straightforward.
Christie star Barry commented: ‘You would think there is a chance for Christie, but the writing is surprising. I loved playing those big scenes with Nicola, it was amazing. Nicola has something special. The moment you start shooting with her, there’s so much happening to the playoff, which was such a joy.
‘Also knowing what Christie is up against Nathan. What I love about Nathan is he seems to be on the losing side a lot of the time but he’s vulnerable…’
But Barry confessed: ‘I actually want Nathan to be with Hannah, so that makes it difficult with me! I had some really interesting scenes with Stephen again.’
Deborah seconded this, adding: ‘I think [Ruth] would like Hannah and Nathan to work out!’
But who will win the fight for Hannah’s affections in the end? And will Hannah and Nathan really go through with their divorce?
You’ll just have to wait and see…
The Split season 3 begins on Monday, April 4 at 9pm on BBC One, with all episodes available to stream straight after on BBC iPlayer.
