The BBC's hit legal drama The Split returned to our screens on Sunday night with the opening episode of its two-part festive special.
Set in Barcelona, the new episodes take place two years on from the third series and picks up in sunny Barcelona, where divorce lawyer Hannah Defoe (Nicola Walker) and her family have gathered for the wedding of her and Nathan's (Stephen Mangan) daughter Liv.
It's safe to say the first episode went down a storm with fans, who praised the gripping story, which saw Hannah arrive at her daughter's wedding venue in the Catalonian countryside only to find her ex Archie on the guest list.
Taking to social media, one person penned: "Feeling all the emotions over #TheSplit! Who else is on the edge of their seat watching this drama unfold? Can't wait to see what happens next!" while another added: "Great to get a surprise bonus double episode of #TheSplit after being told it was ending for good. A very messy situation for all the characters and I can't wait to see how it all unravels in episode 2! Any theories?"
© BBC / Sister PicturesA third fan wrote: "Triumphant return, and I can't wait for tomorrow to see how this special ends," while another praised the cast's performances, adding: "Finally, a quality programme with superb acting. Best programme (series) of the festive season by a million miles. Can't wait for tomorrow night's episode (shame there's not more though)."
© BBC / Sister PicturesWhile the series came to an end in 2022 with its third and final season, many fans are hoping to see more of the drama after the two-part special. One person wrote: "I just love #TheSplit please please bring this back for more," while another added: "Ooooo #TheSplit on BBC One is so so so good! I just wish it wasn't just a two-parter. Nicola Walker excels in everything she is in!"
Sadly, while The Split isn't set to return for a fourth season, fans can look forward to its upcoming spin-off series The Split-Up, which centres around the high-stakes world of Manchester's divorce law circuit.
© BBC / SISTERFor those yet to catch up on The Split: Barcelona, here's the full synopsis: "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?"
© BBC / Sister PicturesFans tuning into part two, which airs on 30 December at 9pm on BBC One, can expect to see "explosive secrets come to light that threaten to derail the wedding, unravel a marriage of 30 years, and encourage Hannah to finally face her fears and commit to something new" according to the synopsis.
Where was The Split: Barcelona filmed?
The two-part special was filmed on location at a real vineyard around an hour and a half's drive away from Barcelona. Scenes were also filmed in Barcelona, Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Sitges, according to Birmingham Live.
Meanwhile, the cast stayed in apartments in the city centre. Reflecting on her experience filming in sunny Spain, Fiona Button, who plays Rose, told the BBC: "There were moments arriving there where I really had to pinch myself because we were staying in these apartments in the centre of Barcelona, and the Spanish crew were just amazing… they have a sandwich break in Spain, which made me very happy."
© BBCShe continued: "It was very funny that about 10 o'clock in the morning on a filming day, everyone stopped for a sandwich! At first the UK crew were like, 'What the hell is this? Why are we stopping for sandwiches?' -, and then by the end of it, yeah, we were like, 'um, when's sandwich time? I need my sandwich, it's 5 minutes past 10!' We could learn a lot from that in the UK!"
The actress added: "But no, not only that, but it was us all being there together, forced on a sort of work holiday trip - we were all just giddy."
