Production Begins on BBC One, BBC AMERICA and Sister's Third and Final Series of The Split

Further cast announcements include the return of BARRY ATSMA as Christie, CHUKWUDI IWUJI as Zander and DAMIEN MOLONY as Tyler

Joining the cast will be LARA PULVER (Sherlock)

Dee Koppang O'Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) begins as lead director

New York, NY - Today, BBC One, BBC America and SISTER are delighted to announce that production has started in London on Abi Morgan's returning drama - The Split - for the final part of its trilogy. The series will once again be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.

The highly anticipated series, set in the fast-paced, complex world of London's high-end divorce circuit is created by BAFTA and EMMY award winning writer Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour) and Executive Producers Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, Utopia), Lucy Dyke (The Split, Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Lucy Richer (Small Axe, The Salisbury Poisonings, The A Word).

Alongside the returning three Defoe sisters (Nicola Walker, Annabel Scholey and Fiona Button), their formidable mother Ruth (Deborah Findlay) and Hannah's husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan), the production today reveals the eagerly awaited return of Christie played by Barry Atsma; the catalyst to the breakdown of Hannah and Nathan's marriage in series two.

Also returning to The Split for its final series are Damien Molony (Tyler), Chukwudi Iwuji (Zander), Rudi Dharmalingham (James), Elizabeth Roberts (Liv Stern), Ian McElhinney (Prof Ronnie), Anna Chancellor (Melanie Aickman) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Glen Peters), reprising his role as the Vicar who married Rose and James in season one.

Joining this formidable group is Lara Pulver (Sherlock) playing Kate, a leading child psychologist whose arrival adds a whole new layer of complexity to Morgan's multi-layered examination of divorce and modern marriage. This farewell series, equal parts electrifying, witty and heart-breaking, continues to put the Defoe sisters and their matriarch at its heart; a group of powerful women working together to help their clients, their colleagues and each other as they continue to navigate the messiness of life.

After audiences were left reeling by the collapse of Hannah and Nathan's marriage at the end of series two, we join them again ten months on, following the two divorce lawyers as they negotiate their way through their own separation. With Dee Koppang O'Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) boarding as lead director, Abi Morgan will conclude the trilogy with the most heart-warming and heart-breaking series to date as we watch a divorce lawyer confronted with her own divorce. With Christie making a return combined with a shocking revelation, will Hannah and Nathan repair their broken marriage, or is The Split simply too deep to repair?

Abi Morgan says "For every writer there are characters that stay with them, long after a show is over, Hannah Defoe and her family are just that, and it's been a welcome balm after a difficult year globally, to reunite this brilliant cast. The Split has been building to this exhilarating final act for the Defoes as they navigate their way through the marital make up and break up, both personally and professionally, at Noble, Hale and Defoe. They say you can't have new beginnings without endings, and I want to say a big thank you to the BBC and AMC, and the fans who have kept running by our side."

Sister Co-Founder Jane Featherstone and Executive Producer Lucy Dyke said, "We're delighted to start production on this glorious third series of The Split. Abi's scripts are beautiful and we can't wait for our wonderful cast to bring them to life in the hands of lead-director Dee Koppang O'Leary. We're also thrilled to be adding Lara Pulver to our Split family this season. Our thanks to the BBC and AMC Networks for their continued commitment and unwavering support. The final part of Hannah and Nathan's story is, as expected, very emotional - be prepared for tears!"

Lucy Richer, Executive Producer for the BBC, says, "The Split is one of our most-loved and most-talked about drama series and we're thrilled to be back in production with Series 3. As ever, Abi Morgan's incredible writing sparkles with truth and honesty, wit and heartbreak. It is fantastic to be back with the Defoes, with Hannah and Nathan facing their biggest challenge yet - how to survive the break up of their marriage, and navigate their own divorce".

Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks says, "We're excited to start production on The Split's final series, which will offer BBC America viewers and Sundance Now subscribers the perfect send off for this acclaimed British drama."

The Split Series 3 will air in 2022. Further TX details to be confirmed.

In the U.S. The Split, Series 3 will air on BBC America and be available to stream on AMC Networks' streaming service Sundance Now, which also has the first two seasons available now to watch anytime.

About The Split

Created and written by Abi Morgan, The Split is produced by SISTER for BBC One, co-produced with Little Chick and BBC America, and was re-commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer BBC and Kristin Jones, EVP of international programming, AMC Networks. Series Three is executive produced by SISTER Co- Founder Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, Utopia), writer and creator Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour), Lucy Dyke (Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Lucy Richer for the BBC. Dee Koppang O'Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) boards as the lead director with Sumrah Mohammed and Emma Genders producing. Casting continues with filming due to start in 2021.

The second series, which averaged over 6 million viewers and over 19 million streams, became the third most watched drama series on BBC iPlayer in 2020 (does not include continuing drama titles).

The Split Series one and two are available on BBC iPlayer to stream now.

About AMC Networks

AMC Networks is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films, and a number of fast-growing streaming services, including the AMC+ premium streaming bundle, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK. AMC Studios, the Company's in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind award-winning owned series and franchises, including The Walking Dead, the highest-rated series in cable history. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production services business.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programs and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programs made by the business are internationally recognized across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Dancing with the Stars/Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in 22 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2,500 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Amazon and China Mobile, is a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a committed partner for the UK's independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for program titles. To the BBC, BBC Studios contributes both cash dividends and funds for program-making, supporting the license fee and enhancing programs for UK audiences.

In the Americas, BBC Studios - with team members across the region - manages joint venture relationships with AMC Networks for flagship channel BBC AMERICA (U.S.) - home of original series Killing Eve and global brands Seven Worlds: One Planet, Doctor Who, and Top Gear - and with ITV for SVoD service BritBox (U.S./Canada), as well as a strategic partnership in Canada with Blue Ant Media for BBC Earth Channel. The company also operates a robust linear and digital content sales and co-productions operation, as well as a franchise management business. In addition, BBC Studios operates a major production unit in Los Angeles responsible for the highly-rated, Emmy(R)-nominated Dancing with the Stars and multi-award-winning Life Below Zero. In Brazil, through a production partnership with Endemol Shine, local production Dancing Brasil has become a breakout hit. In addition, the company has recently launched BBC SELECT in the U.S. and Canada, an ad-free, digital streaming channel offering unrivalled content across culture, politics and ideas, on Amazon Prime Video Channels and the Apple TV app.