The Split Up: Ending of BBC One drama unpacked, including why Aria chose the right man, and news on series 2
Aria was at a crossroads, but did she take the right turn?
The Split Up ending left us with a dozen unanswered questions, as well as hopes for a potential series 2.
The Split spin-off introduced the Kishans, a British South Asian family law firm, run by Dhruv alongside his daughter Aria. The plot centred on Aria’s hopes to take over the firm, all while grappling with an emotional love triangle.
Although she was poised to family sensible lawyer Neal, her emotions were laid bare when an old flame arrived on the scene. Enter Luke, another lawyer, who Aria had enjoyed a one-night stand with at a conference.
Sparks flew between them. But would she chose the safe option of her fiancé, or risk it all for Luke? The Split Up ending saw her make her choice. And, hear us out, it was the right one. For now at least…
***Warning: spoilers from the ending of The Split Up ahead***
Who did Aria choose in The Split Up ending?
Like the Nicola Walker drama The Split, this spin off saw the central character Aria torn between two men. Dependable Neal, her fiancé, loved by her family, and seemingly her destiny. Or outsider Luke, who she was clearly wildly attracted to. And who could blame her!?
Would she follow her heart or her head? What was expected of her, or the path that would cause trouble? After giving in to her feelings for Luke between the sheets, Aria followed her head, and her obligations. She confessed the one-night-stand (strictly two nights by this point) to Neal, and tried to moved forward with her marriage in the belief she was honouring her dead mother’s wishes.
In the series finale, Neal forgave Aria her indiscretion, and they married. But reader, she looked bloody miserable the whole day. In fact, scrap that. She looked pretty glum the whole series – apart from when she was with Luke…
Obviously we were all screaming at our screens, begging her to choose Luscious Luke. But she made the right choice. For now, at least. Luke’s presence in the TV drama created all the tension. Without him, the series would not have had such tension. Had she chosen Luke, where would the suspense come from for series 2?
Aria choosing Neal had to happen. This leaves room for a series 2 of the drama. And, of course, plenty of room for her safe marriage to go wrong… Sorry, not sorry, Aria!
What happened to Neal in the series finale?
After watching the woman he loved marry someone else, Neal was a broken man. And he made the decision to leave Kishan Law, and Manchester behind.
He resigns and tells Aria he is moving back to London. As Luke and Aria talk at the wedding, the chemistry continued to sizzle. When Neal happens to see his now wife sharing a ‘moment’ with Luke, it’s clear he’s put two and two together and realised Luke was the one-night-stand Aria confessed to.
Did Aria Kishan stay at Kishan Law?
Short answer is, we won’t know until series 2. Aria’s desire to take over Kishan Law, alongside Dhruv’s reluctance to let her was a central theme during The Split Up, not least the ending.
With Dhruv not quite ready to pass over the mantle, Aria made a bold decision to leave the company. But her motives weren’t selfish. She was trying to help Goya, her half sister. The one she only just found out she had!
Goya was Dhruv’s secret daughter from an arranged marriage back in Delhi. A daughter he abandoned without looking back. Years later, Goya turned up in Manchester seeking compensation in the shape of a £200,000 inheritance – 25% the value of Kishan Law.
The only way Dhruv could raise that amount of money was by selling a stake in the company to an umbrella company. Goya needed the money to fight her ex-husband for custody of her daughter.
Aria, keen to help her new half-sister, suggested they sell a stake of their firm, giving her the “push she needed to build a firm of her own” and “focus on a new beginning”.
However, Goya had a different suggestion. She would come in as a partner at Kishan Law and the women could work together… Shame her nasty ex had other ideas.
Who is Dhruv Kishan?
Goya’s ex-husband Vivek was intent on bringing her down. And he planned to use Dhruv Kishan to do it. Turned out that the Dhruv Kishan we thought we knew isn’t the real Dhruv Kishan at all! And Vivek had all the dirt.
In a bid to stop Goya getting access to their daughter Indira, he’d done some digging into her dad. And it was a can of worms that’s for sure.
Firstly, Dhruv had never divorced his first wife, making him a bigamist. Bit of an awkward predicament for a lawyer. But there was more… Dhruv was actually called Arun. This man had enough secrets for a whole series just for him.
Of course, with enough dirt to bury Dhruv’s career and reputation, Vivek had one request: “Stop helping Goya or I will expose you.”
The only person who seemed to know about Dhruv’s secrets was Neal’s mum Harshika. In a heated discussion at the wedding, she told Dhruv: “I am also compromised. What if she finds out the truth?”
The truth? Well that will have to wait until series 2.
What else happened in the series finale of The Split Up?
- Maya and Michael made peace after the end of their marriage. And, although it looked like the pair of them might reunite, Maya said she didn’t “believe in them” as a couple anymore.
- Kav told his dad he wanted to specialise in mediation law, and not litigation. Meanwhile, he was the only one whose love life was 100% naturally sweet. His relationship with Ashok was on firm ground.
- Dhruv’s feeling for Linda, and vice versa, were clearly not platonic. As they shared a dance at Aria’s wedding, there was evidently some serious feelings between them. Sweet.
Is there a series 2 of The Split Up?
BBC One has not confirmed a series 2 of The Split Up, but we’re pretty confident there will be one. Although it might not have won the war against ITV rival The Blame, it’s unfair to compare them. The Split Up is a warm-hearted (yes, sometimes cheesy) drama. At its heart, it’s a love story – to family, as well as romance.
Series 1 left enough loose threads for a series 2. There’s Aria’s unfinished business with Luke, Dhruv’s vipers nest of secrets, and the future of Kishan Law and everyone in it.
Watch this space.
Read more: Filming locations of The Split Up on BBC One include famous gay village, and an historic Grade II listed Victorian building
