The Split's Nicola Walker reveals whether season 4 could happen
It's been two, long years since we last saw the Defoe family from BBC's hit legal drama, The Split, which came to an end after three seasons. But, if you're a fan of the series, then you're in luck as The Split is returning for a two-part special this festive season.
Titled The Split: Barcelona, the spin-off will see Nicola Walker, Annabel Scholey and Fiona Button reprise their roles as the Defoe sisters for a sun-soaked wedding weekend filled with drama, romance and more. "We're going to watch it all explode," Nicola told Red over Zoom.
Ahead of its release on 29 and 30 December, Red sat down with Nicola, where she revealed on set secrets from the spin-off series, what it's like working with the cast, and her hopes for the future of The Split...
Hi Nicola! What can viewers expect from The Split: Barcelona?
You can expect to see the Defoe family out of their normal environment and into the beautiful landscape of Barcelona for the wedding of Hannah's daughter.
We're going to take you all to a great wedding in an amazing, Spanish vineyard with blue skies – everything that one longs for in the depths of winter. Then, we're going to watch it all explode, because it is the Defoe family!
How have the dynamics changed between the characters since we last saw them, particularly Hannah and Nathan?
We left Hannah very certain that there's hope out there and she was going to move forward. She was doing so with the intention of her relationship with Christie working on some level, but she wasn't going to move to New York as her life is in London. Then, it quickly becomes apparent that their relationship didn't work.
The break up between Hannah and Nathan is very real now, too, as her children have all moved away from home. While work is going well, her private life is in free fall so she decides to go on a date. But, we learn that she runs away.
Will we see Christie return for The Split: Barcelona?
It becomes clear from the first scene that Hannah and Christie couldn't make it work, which hurts her very much. It's clear that they tried, and on some level, failed. For Hannah, it's difficult for her to move forward but she has more important things, like her daughter's wedding, to focus on.
What was it like to reunite with the rest of the cast for the spin-off series?
There were a flurry of WhatsApp messages when we realised this was happening and in the build up we were, in a good way, hysterical about working together again.
It had been a couple of years since we last filmed together, but we're friends so we have seen each other and supported each other. The scripts are so good so it was very easy to return to these characters.
What were your favourite memories from filming in Spain?
It's very exciting to film abroad, but because my character is in the show quite a lot, I didn't get to see much of the city! But, it was incredibly beautiful and we mainly filmed in this beautiful vineyard. It rained a lot the first week when we were there, but it meant that the vines grew beautifully.
When the sun did come out, it was glorious and we did have some evenings out as a cast which involved eating tapas, watching flamenco and going to the beach.
What lessons have you learned from working with Abi Morgan?
I have learned loads from Abi, everyone at Sister Pictures and the other actors. Abi is a really great, natural director and she is the most positive life force to have around. She creates an environment that makes you want to do your best.
Between takes, I did tend to hang around and watch everyone work and it's lovely to see people you adore working. It was a perfect filming experience and a great working environment. We were so excited to work together again.
What is your favourite thing about working with Annabel Scholey and Fiona Button?
They make me laugh so much. Apart from being exquisite actors, they're incredibly funny and it's so easy to play being sisters. We're often chatting until they call 'action' and straight after they say 'cut'. That's the fun of it, you're with actors who know their characters well and you feel relaxed and safe with them as a result.
There's no judgment and it's a lovely, easy and creative relationship between the three of us. I don't have sisters, I have one fabulous brother, but I feel like I understand what it is to have a sister now.
I also love how sort of casually cruel our characters can be with each other, too. My brother and I are never cruel to each other, but the fact that the Defoe women can do that with great love and to push them to be honest is lovely.
How did the original cast welcome the newcomers, like Toby Stephens, to The Split?
Very easily, because Toby's incredibly experienced and brilliant. It was like he'd always been there. I hope he felt really welcomed because it felt very natural to have him there. Our first scene was the date scene, so we hit the ground running. He's a part of the family.
What have been some of your favourite fan reactions to the series over the last 8 years?
I love the Team Nathan and Team Christie phase of my life. It was hilarious. When the show was on air, I couldn't go shopping or take the tube without people letting me know what team they were on!
I loved that viewers would actually try to engage in conversations with me about their divorces. It made me think, "Gosh, I wonder if people that play doctors in medical dramas get this?" I have done my best in the past to sort of pass on the little bits I picked up from Hannah Defoe. But, I'm an actor and I have no training in family law!
We have to ask, are you Team Nathan or Team Christie?
It's impossible because for Hannah, Nathan was her person when he was her person, but, Christie was always there and that's where all the trouble came from. I don't think she could have behaved any other way as the issue for her was that they were both always there.
What do you hope the future of The Split is and what can you tell us about a potential season 4?
I want to come back next year and see what they're doing! If the call was made about season four, I'd say "absolutely". I'd really enjoy to explore her work and relationships, but I would find it fascinating to see Hannah's relationship with her children as they grow up and how she copes with that.
She has a daughter who is getting married and she has two younger children who are about to leave home, too. Let's campaign for season four!
The Split: Barcelona will air on BBC One at 9pm on 29 and 30 December. Both episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from 29 December.
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