Critic Reviews

This is where The Split really shines, where we get to see the Defoe women and those who love them face very real decisions and consequences, muddling through while knowing that, ultimately, they will always have their family.

For all its wandering through hopeless plotlines like Rose’s endless adventures planning her wedding, an effort at inspired abandon that grows more ghastly by the minute--and there are a lot of those--The Split in time finds its footing as powerful drama.

The couple’s amicable separation soon descends into rancour, in scenes which ring true. And if elsewhere it strains believability – how is this law firm functioning, with all the madness going on? – who cares. It’s enjoyable.

The Split isn't perfect, often too polished for its own good, and many characters too cold to like much. ... But that teeth-itchingly awkward restaurant meal, in which Hannah clearly wanted to stab her smug love rival Kate with her chopsticks, was absolutely delicious. I don't blame her. Who calls children "little people"? I think this is The Split giving us clear permission to hate Kate.

Spending time with three generations of the Defoe clan remains a sharp, witty joy in its fourth outing.

The trio’s sibling dynamic is a delight, realistically but warmly observed. And Stephens slots effortlessly well into the world of The Split, where everyone is witty, emotionally vulnerable and has some kind of high-flying legal career.

The Split: Barcelona (BBC1) turned out to be an unexpected treat.

An addictive guilty pleasure. [14 - 27 May 2018, p.11]

The caliber of the cast and Jessica Hobbs’ lush and active direction elevate The Split from being a little too soapy and predictable when it comes to the drama of the DeFoe’s personal lives. Each member of the cast brings an emotional honesty to their performance, particularly Walker.

Some of the script and plotting concerning the in-laws would be rejected by the writers of Death in Paradise. .... Walker and Mangan are still great at understated comedy (“Our contribution to this wedding will cover, at best, the patatas bravas,” says Nathan) and at digging out emotional truths.