New dramas turn wealthy divorce battles into compelling television
Two new dramas, HBO’s *War* and the BBC’s *The Split Up*, put high-stakes divorce at the centre of their stories. Their arrival reflects television’s interest in the legal and personal battles that can follow a marriage breakdown, particularly when wealth, reputation and children are involved.
*War* follows a celebrity couple’s acrimonious split and the rival law firms seeking a share of the spoils; *The Split Up* centres on a Manchester family law practice. The article notes that 105,002 divorces took place in England and Wales last year, while couples divorcing in 2025 had been married for an average of 13 years, the longest since records began in 1963. London’s reputation as a divorce capital and the high cost of specialist legal work add to the dramas’ real-world context.
- Two new dramas focus on elite divorce cases.
- England and Wales recorded 105,002 divorces last year.
- Longer marriages can mean more complex financial and family arrangements.
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Television dramas are increasingly turning to the courts to find compelling stories. Two new shows, HBO's War and the BBC's The Split Up, have chosen family law and divorce as their central focus, reflecting broadcasters' belief that the personal and legal battles surrounding marriage breakdowns hold significant audience appeal.
Divorce in Britain remains a common occurrence, with over 105,000 divorces recorded in England and Wales in the previous year. What has changed is the length of marriages ending in separation: couples divorcing in 2025 had been married for an average of 13 years, marking the longest duration since record-keeping began in 1963.
Wealthy divorce cases carry particular dramatic appeal because substantial financial assets, business interests and questions about children's welfare can all become contested in court. London has established itself as a destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking divorce settlements, whilst the cost of specialist family law representation means that legal battles can themselves become part of what these dramas examine.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “‘Happy Christmas, Ange’: why we have always loved a dramatic TV divorce”.