Air date announced for The Split Barcelona

The original cast are back!

Author: Alex RossPublished 22 hours ago
Last updated 17 hours ago

As well as news earlier this year that popular BBC drama The Split would be getting a spin-off show, bosses later delighted fans by revealing the hit drama is set to return for a two-part special, featuring some of the original cast!

Set two years on from series three, production for the two-part special started in May, which will see the likes of Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Fiona Button, Annabel Scholey and Deborah Findlay all feature. As filming wrapped earlier this year, the BBC have now confirmed when the episodes will be on TV.

What will it be about?

The special episodes will be called The Split Barcelona, created and written by multi-award winning Abi Morgan.

BBC bosses say of the two part special: 'Two years on, formidable family lawyer Hannah Defoe (Nicola Walker) and her family are back and have gathered for a beautiful wedding at a magnificent vineyard, nestled in Catalonia’s wine region.

'Set across one sun soaked weekend, The Split will encompass break-ups, reunions and like all good weddings, plenty of romance. As the sun rises over the glorious Spanish countryside, Hannah is compelled to banish the ghosts of her past and open herself up to the possibility of love again. Can she find the courage to take the leap into a new future?'

Creator Abi Morgan said: “In a world of brutal break ups and tantalising make ups, the Defoe family are invited to a destination wedding of their own, promising all that audiences have grown to love about The Split. Problematic prenups, scandalous wedding crashers, and low flying marriage proposals, as rom com meets gone wrong, in a chaotic and riotous weekend that guarantees to crack open the heart, before the last of the guests have gone home.”

On Monday 14th October, BBC bosses released four first-look photos from the new special.

Check out the first look photos below:

The Split Barcelona


The Split Barcelona


The Split Barcelona


The Split Barcelona


When will it be on TV?

The Split Barcelona will air on Sunday 29th December and Monday 30th December.

Who is in the cast?

Fans will be pleased to know a number of The Split cast will be returning for the Spanish extravaganza, including Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Annabel Scholey, Fiona Button, Deborah Findlay, Ian McElhinney, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Elizabeth Roberts and Alex Guersman.

Viewers will also be introduced to brand new character Archie Moore in the two-part special, played by Percy Jackson actor Toby Stephens.

How can I watch it?

The Split two-part special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama said: “We know The Split’s millions of fans found it hard to break up with the Defoes, so before we delve into the heady world of The Split Up we couldn’t resist an extra treat in the form of these exquisite, sun-drenched specials from the wonderful Abi Morgan.”

Check out all of the Christmas TV specials:

Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide with Josie Gibson

The lovely Josie Gibson is hosting Channel 4's Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide this year, perfect if you need some last minute gift ideas.


Air date: 9th December (8pm)
Channel: BBC

​Richard Osman's Festive House of Games

Richard Osman hosts a week of festive special of hit game show House of Games.


Air date: 9th-13th December
Channel: BBC Two

Bargain Hunt Christmas Special

The Bargain Hunt team will take part in a special festive episode this year.


Air date: 16th December (12.15pm)
Channel: BBC

The Young Offenders Christmas special

Conor and Jock set off on a chaotic adventure to give Mairead, who has been ill in hospital, the white Christmas she has always dreamed of.


Air date: 16th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC Three and BBC iPlayer

Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas

Stacey Solomon is back this year with a little help from her family! Stacey shows us crafty ways to create beautiful decorations and gifts that are sure to spread some home-made cheer this Christmas time.


Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC

The Good Ship Murder Christmas Special

As well as being renewed for two more series, Channel 5 bosses have confirmed that drama series The Good Ship Murder will have a Christmas special this year. Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward will reprise their roles as First Officer Kate Woods and Jack Grayling.


Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: Channel 5

The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2024

Ian "H" Watkins, EastEnder Kellie Bright, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri and TV personality Charlotte Crosby put their sewing skills to the test in this year's Christmas special.


Air date: 19th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

For the Love of Dogs Christmas Special

Ahead of the new series in 2025, Alison Hammond returns to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for a heartwarming Christmas special this year.


Air date: 19th December (8.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

Casualty Christmas special

Ahead of the new series starting later in December, the cast of Casualty have filmed an emotional Christmas episode which is called All I Want for Christmas.


Air date: 21st December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC One

Would I Lie to You? at Christmas

Laura Smyth, David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack, Lenny Rush and Rustie Lee take part in the 2024 Would I Lie to You? Christmas special.


Air date: 23rd December (7pm)
Channel: BBC One

Deal or No Deal Christmas Special

I'm A Celeb winner Sam Thompson will join Stephen Mulhern for a festive edition of Deal or No Deal. Sam will be hoping to win money for his chosen charity!


Air date: Unknown
Channel: ITV/STV

The Great Christmas Bake Off

Just like past years, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are back in the Bake Off tent for this year's Christmas special, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. This year, soap stars Dean Gaffney, Sheree Murphy, Shobna Gulati MBE, Natalie Cassidy and Chris Bisson will take part.


Air date: 24th December (8pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Gogglebox - Best of 2024

Channel 4 are showing a round-up of the best moments from Gogglebox 2024, featuring cast members such as Giles and Mary, The Malones, and Ellie and Izzy.


Air date: 24th December (9.15pm)
Channel: Channel 4

The Weakest Link Christmas Special

Romesh Ranganathan hosts as a number of celebs try to win money for charity on The Weakest Link's Christmas special.


Air date: 25th December (3.15pm)
Channel: BBC One

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

Comedian Josh Widdicombe, RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Tayce, presenter Vogue Williams, Gladiator Nitro, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and motor racing driver Billy Monger will take part in the 2024 Christmas special.


Air date: 25th December (3.55pm)
Channel: BBC

Doctor Who: Joy to the World

Following on from last year's Christmas special, Ncuti Gatwa returns as Doctor Who, with actress Nicola Coughlan joining the cast as Joy.


Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Piano: Christmas Special

Claudia Winkleman, Mika and Lang Lang kickstart the festive season with an array of live music performances and treats inside Turbine Hall for The Piano Christmas special.


Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Call the Midwife

Unlike previous years, this year's Call the Midwife Christmas special will be split into two parts! The 2024 special consists of two 60-minute episodes – complete with a Christmas cliffhanger!


Air date: (Part One) 25th December (7.55pm) and (Part Two) 26th December (8.15pm)
Channel: BBC One

Gavin and Stacey

Five years after THAT cliffhanger on the last Christmas special, the Gavin and Stacey gang are back for the final ever episode of the sitcom this year! Will we finally get answers about Smithy and Nessa?!


Air date: 25th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC

Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas

Despite the show's controversy over the years, Mrs. Brown's Boys has become somewhat of staple on Christmas Day! The show is back for a Christmas and New Year's special in 2024.


Air date: 25th December (11.05pm)
Channel: BBC One

Blankety Blank Christmas Special

Bradley Walsh is back with a Christmas special of Saturday night entertainment show Blankety Blank.


Air date: 26th December (7.35pm)
Channel: BBC One

Outnumbered

Gavin and Stacey isn't the only show getting a revival this Christmas, sitcom Outnumbered is also making a return to our screens, featuring all of the original cast!


Air date: 26th December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC

The 1% Club Christmas Special

Lee Mack hosts a festive special of the quiz with all the Christmas themed questions! 100 contestants hope to make the holiday season even more special by winning up to £100,000.


Air date: 26th December (9pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The Repair Shop Christmas

The team are back for another Christmas special this year


Air date: 27th December (1.25pm)
Channel: BBC One

Beyond Paradise Christmas special

It wouldn't be Christmas without a Beyond Paradise Christmas special!


Air date: 27th December (8.30pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Split Barcelona

Popular BBC drama The Split will return this Christmas for a two-part special, set out in Barcelona. Set two years on from series three, the show will see the likes of Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Fiona Button, Annabel Scholey and Deborah Findlay all feature.


Air date: 29th and 30th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

Vera series 14

Brenda Blethyn is back as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope for the final time as Vera series 14 airs this Christmas.


Air date: 1st and 2nd January (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The Great New Year Bake Off

Returning bakers from past series of Bake Off will appear on this year's New Year Bake Off, including Kevin, Norman, Nicky, James, Lea and Peter.


Air date: Unknown
Channel: Channel 4

Gladiators: Celebrity Special

Ahead of the new series in early 2025, there will be a celebrity special of Gladiators airing this Christmas! Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Ellie Taylor and Louise Minchin will take part.


Air date: Unknown
Channel: BBC One

What is The Split spin-off show?

It was announced earlier this year that The Split would be getting a spin-off series called The Split Up, a six-part show which features the high-stakes world of Manchester’s divorce law circuit, where one family of lawyers, the Kishans, reigns supreme.

The Split Up will feature both a new city and a new family from The Split, and it's understood none of the original cast will feature in the new drama.

Speaking about The Split Up, Abi Morgan said: “After the success of The Split, it’s been great to see The Split Up take shape in lead writer Ursula Rani Sarma’s capable hands, reinvigorating all that audiences love. A new legal family, grabbing at life in a new city, battling new legal cases, as the professional and personal deliciously collide. A brilliant new cast of characters caught in the messiness of love, marriage, deception and divorce, make it their own. It is ripe to be taken into the hearts of anyone who loved the show.”

Despite the intial news, it's now being reported filming for The Split Up has been 'paused indefinitely' due to editorial reasons.

All three series of The Split are available on BBC iPlayer now.

Now read:

BBC legal drama The Split is getting a spin-off series

All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return

Date confirmed for Outnumbered Christmas special as original cast reunite

Want more entertainment news?

Read more of the latest entertainment news here.