The Split Season 3 is the final chapter of the acclaimed BBC legal drama that follows divorce lawyer Hannah Stern as she navigates love, loyalty and high-stakes family law cases in London. Released in April 2022 on BBC One, the six-episode third season concludes the emotional arc of the Stern family while exploring the breakdown of Hannah’s marriage to Nathan and her unresolved connection with Christie. Set against glamorous weddings, messy separations and courtroom tension, The Split Season 3 delivers closure while leaving space for future spin-offs.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the storyline, cast, character arcs, filming locations, themes, ratings performance, behind-the-scenes insights, and what the ending truly means. You’ll also get practical viewing information, streaming options, and answers to the most searched questions about The Split Season 3. Whether you’re revisiting the series or discovering it for the first time, this guide gives you everything you need in one place.
Overview of The Split Season 3
The Split Season 3 premiered on 4 April 2022 in the UK and ran for six episodes, each approximately 60 minutes long. Created and written by Abi Morgan, the season serves as the concluding instalment of the trilogy that began in 2018. It focuses heavily on Hannah Stern’s personal life while continuing the show’s trademark high-profile divorce cases.
The story opens with Hannah preparing for her own wedding, signalling a structural shift from legal battles to emotional reckoning. The season is set primarily in London, with additional scenes in the Cotswolds and Spain, giving it a broader visual scope than previous seasons. Critics praised the season for balancing glossy escapism with grounded emotional realism.
Unlike earlier seasons that leaned heavily into legal manoeuving, The Split Season 3 centres more on family dynamics and the consequences of long-buried secrets. It closes the central love triangle while allowing supporting characters to find resolution.
Plot Summary
The main narrative follows Hannah Stern as she confronts the collapse of her marriage to Nathan while grappling with lingering feelings for Christie. At the same time, her mother Ruth and sisters Nina and Rose navigate their own personal crossroads. The season’s central case revolves around a wealthy couple whose divorce threatens to expose painful family truths.
The storyline unfolds over a weekend wedding in the Cotswolds, structured through flashbacks and present-day revelations. This narrative device creates tension and mirrors the emotional unraveling of the characters. By the final episode, Hannah must decide what kind of life she truly wants.
The Split Season 3 ends with a sense of closure rather than dramatic shock. The focus is emotional growth rather than scandal, making it a mature, character-driven finale.
Main Cast and Characters
The ensemble cast remains one of the drama’s greatest strengths.
Hannah Stern
Played by Nicola Walker, Hannah is a high-powered divorce lawyer forced to confront her own marital breakdown. Walker delivers a layered performance, capturing both vulnerability and professional confidence. Her character arc centres on self-acceptance and emotional honesty.
Nathan Stern
Stephen Mangan portrays Nathan, Hannah’s husband, whose calm exterior masks growing resentment. Season 3 explores his emotional exhaustion and desire for stability. Nathan’s storyline highlights the strain of balancing ambition with intimacy.
Christie Carmichael
Played by Barry Atsma, Christie remains Hannah’s former lover and unresolved emotional connection. In Season 3, his role becomes more introspective, showing the consequences of long-term indecision.
Ruth Stern
Deborah Findlay plays the matriarch whose past decisions shaped her daughters’ relationships. Her storyline offers one of the season’s most moving reconciliations.
Nina and Rose
Annabel Scholey and Fiona Button return as Hannah’s sisters. Nina faces professional uncertainty, while Rose navigates family and career pressures.
Themes and Emotional Depth
The Split Season 3 explores commitment, betrayal, motherhood, ambition and second chances. The wedding setting symbolises hope, yet much of the season questions whether romantic ideals match reality. It examines how family patterns repeat across generations.
Another major theme is female autonomy. Each Stern woman redefines what independence looks like in middle age. The show avoids simplistic resolutions, instead portraying relationships as complex and evolving.
The legal cases parallel the personal struggles of the main characters. Divorce law becomes a lens for exploring identity and resilience.
Filming Locations
The majority of The Split Season 3 was filmed in London, maintaining continuity with earlier seasons. Office scenes were shot in real London legal districts to maintain authenticity. Wedding sequences were filmed in the Cotswolds, offering sweeping countryside visuals.
Some scenes were shot in Spain, adding warmth and contrast to the cooler London aesthetic. The production design reflects affluence while grounding characters in relatable domestic spaces.
The choice of locations reinforces themes of escape and confrontation.
Production Background
The Split was created by Abi Morgan, known for character-driven drama. The third season was announced as the final chapter before filming began in 2021. Production faced minor delays due to pandemic restrictions, but filming completed smoothly.
The decision to end at three seasons was intentional. The creative team wanted a structured narrative arc rather than indefinite continuation. This approach allowed The Split Season 3 to focus on resolution rather than cliffhangers.
Behind the scenes, the cast described the finale as emotionally intense, with several scenes filmed in chronological order to heighten authenticity.
Critical Reception
The Split Season 3 received strong reviews from UK critics. Many praised the performances, especially Nicola Walker’s nuanced portrayal of emotional conflict. The wedding-weekend structure was widely regarded as inventive and compelling.
Some reviewers noted a shift away from legal drama toward relationship drama, but most agreed the emotional payoff justified the change. Viewers responded positively to the satisfying, character-based ending.
Ratings remained consistent with previous seasons, confirming the show’s loyal audience base.
Ending Explained
The finale resolves Hannah’s romantic dilemma without sensationalism. Rather than focusing on scandal, the ending emphasises personal clarity. Hannah ultimately chooses emotional honesty over habit.
Nathan’s storyline concludes with dignity, showing mutual respect despite separation. Christie’s role becomes less about destiny and more about growth. The Stern family dynamic ends stronger than it began.
The Split Season 3 closes with hope rather than dramatic shock. It suggests that endings can be beginnings.
Future of The Split
Although Season 3 was billed as the final chapter, the show later returned with a two-part special set in Barcelona. This continuation revisits the characters several years later. While not labelled Season 4, it extends the narrative world.
The possibility of future specials remains open. The characters’ lives offer room for exploration, particularly as they age into new life stages.
For now, The Split Season 3 stands as the definitive conclusion to the original trilogy.
Practical Information and Viewing Guide
The Split Season 3 first aired on 4 April 2022 on BBC One in the UK. Each episode runs approximately one hour. The full season is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
International viewers can find the series on selected platforms depending on region. In the United States, it has been available on certain streaming services that carry British dramas. Availability may vary.
Episodes are best watched in order due to the serialized storyline. Subtitles and HD versions are widely accessible.
Tips for viewers:
Watch Seasons 1 and 2 first for full context.
Pay attention to flashback sequences in Season 3.
Expect emotional drama rather than courtroom spectacle.
The finale rewards long-term character investment.
Cultural Impact
The Split Season 3 reinforced the show’s reputation as one of Britain’s strongest contemporary relationship dramas. It sparked conversations about midlife marriage, female ambition and modern divorce law.
The series influenced similar UK dramas focusing on professional women balancing personal lives. Its blend of glossy visuals and emotional realism remains distinctive.
Nicola Walker’s performance solidified her status as one of Britain’s leading television actresses.
FAQs
When was The Split Season 3 released?
The Split Season 3 premiered on 4 April 2022 on BBC One. It aired weekly over six episodes in the UK.
How many episodes are in Season 3?
There are six episodes in The Split Season 3, each approximately 60 minutes long.
Is Season 3 the final season?
Season 3 was announced as the final season of the original series, though a later two-part special revisited the characters.
Where was Season 3 filmed?
Filming took place mainly in London and the Cotswolds, with additional scenes shot in Spain.
Does Hannah end up with Nathan?
The finale focuses on emotional clarity rather than romantic triumph. Hannah and Nathan reach a mature understanding.
What is the main theme of Season 3?
Commitment, honesty and self-identity are central themes in The Split Season 3.
Who created The Split?
The series was created and written by Abi Morgan.
Is The Split based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional drama inspired by real-world family law dynamics.
Where can I watch The Split Season 3?
In the UK, it is available on BBC iPlayer. International streaming options vary.
Is there a Season 4 planned?
There is no confirmed Season 4, though a special episode set continued the story.
What makes Season 3 different?
Season 3 shifts focus from legal strategy to personal resolution, delivering emotional closure.
How does Season 3 end?
The season concludes with reconciliation within the family and clarity in Hannah’s personal life.
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