Tell a story about “divorce” that conveys hope, love, and optimism.- Emily Kapnek

Splitting Up Together is a witty comedy that shows us divorce doesn’t have to be messy and dragging one another in the mud. Through experiences and time away you may realize love is still there and it’s more about family. After seeing the pilot Splitting Up Together is one of my favorites sitcoms. This upcoming American single-camera sitcom series that will debut on ABC tonight March 27, 2018 9:30 EST. I also recently had the chance to sit down with Oliver Hudson, Lindsay Price, the creator of the show Emily Kapnek and executive producer Dean Holland the interview was hilarious but insightful.

Details On The Cast & Creators

Based on the Danish series, “Splitting Up Together” is the story of a couple (Jenna Fischer, “The Office,” and Oliver Hudson, “Scream Queens”) whose marriage is reignited by their divorce. Emily Kapnek (“Suburgatory”) writes and serves as executive producer of this new comedy, along with Ellen DeGeneres. The series stars Jenna Fischer as Lena, Oliver Hudson as Martin, Bobby Lee as Arthur, Diane Farr as Maya, Lindsay Price as Camille, Olivia Keville as Mae, Van Crosby as Mason and Sander Thomas as Milo.

Jeff Kleeman, Mette Heeno, Mie Andreasen and Hella Joof are also executive producers of SPLITTING UP TOGETHER, which is based on the original series created by Heeno. It is produced by A Very Good Production and Piece of Pie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Dean Holland directed the pilot.

My Favorite Q&A Highlights

It seems more like a show about family versus a show about divorce. As moms, it’s relatable because we deal with friends that are going through similarities. Or even [the] parenting is funny on a daily basis with our own kids. So, this is connectable in our own lives. So what captivated you to want to do that role?

 This script in and of itself captivated me, and I loved the characters because they’re real. They’re real people. But I do think it’s interesting she (Camille) probably immediately seemed selfish that she doesn’t want them to get divorced.– Lindsay Price

 This is, for me, the most connected that I’ve been to a project just because I live this life. And when I read for Emily she was sitting way back and I was like “okay, I want this job so bad”. -Oliver Hudson

Question: How do you think this show will portray divorce in real life?

Emily: I think we felt like a lot of people seem to identify with the world and the characters whether they were going through a divorce or not. I think the main goal is just to tell a story about divorce that isn’t toxic and negative that has a little bit of hope and a little bit of optimism. I know a lot of couples that have good relationships, even if they didn’t reconcile, just good relationships with their exes and they’re co-parenting happily, and I just don’t think you see a lot of that represented.

Synopsis

Lena and Martin were once madly in love. But, like many marriages, time and circumstance eventually took their toll. Lena, the perfectionist, fell into the role of caretaker for everyone, including Martin. Martin felt he could never do anything right and gave up making the effort. This created a romantic rift between them. Finding themselves in a platonic marriage and acting more like a pair of camp counselors wrangling their kids than a couple hopelessly in love, they decide that everyone’s lives would be better served if they got a divorce. 

Still wanting the best for their three kids and facing a daunting real estate market, the couple decides not to sell their house and to “Bird Nest” instead. One parent will live in the house as the “on-duty” parent taking care of the kids, while the “off-duty” parent will live in the detached garage, doing whatever he or she pleases. They will switch off every other week.