The Slap is an American drama television miniseries, which aired on NBC from February 12 to April 2, 2015. It is an American adaptation of the Australian series of the same name, which was based on Christos Tsiolkas' 2008 novel of the same name. Each episode tells the events of the aftermath of a birthday party from the perspective of a different character. Jon Robin Baitz wrote the teleplay and Lisa Cholodenko directed the pilot episode.
Contents
Plot
The miniseries revolves around the aftermath of a birthday party for a middle-aged city employee where Harry Apostolou slaps someone else's misbehaving child, Hugo, after he attempts to hit another child with a bat and kicks Harry in the leg. Hugo's mother, Rosie, insists on criminal charges, claiming that Harry's slap has caused Hugo PTSD. Though Rosie's diagnosis is later undermined when Hugo mentions how much he misses seeing Harry, the case slowly makes its way to court. Each episode tells the story from the perspective of a different character.
Cast
Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Apostolou, a 40-year-old assistant deputy commissioner
Thandiwe Newton (credited as Thandie Newton) as Aisha Apostolou, Hector's wife and a clinic director
Ashley Aufderheide as Melissa Apostolou, daughter of Hector and Aisha
Khalid Alzouma as Adam Apostolou, older brother of Melissa
Uma Thurman as Anouk Latham, Hector's childhood friend and a television executive producer
Dylan Schombing as Hugo Weschler, the receiver of the titular slap
Melissa George as Rosie Weschler, mother of Hugo
Thomas Sadoski as Gary Weschler, father of Hugo
Zachary Quinto as Harry Apostolou, Hector's cousin, a rare-auto dealer and the deliverer of the titular slap
Marin Ireland as Sandi Apostolou, Harry's wife
Owen Tanzer as Rocco Apostolou, Harry's pre-teen son
Sofia Regan as Melody, an employee of Harry's
Brian Cox as Manolis Apostolou, Hector's father
Maria Tucci as Koula Apostolou, Hector's mother
Michael Nouri as Thanasis Korkoulis, Harry's attorney
Makenzie Leigh as Connie, a babysitter who watches Hector and Aisha's children
Lucas Hedges as Ritchie Joanou (née Collins), Connie's best friend
Ellen Adair as Bridget Saltire, the ADA assigned to the case
Penn Badgley as Jamie, Anouk's much younger actor boyfriend
Molly Price as Fiona Collins, Ritchie's mother
Blythe Danner as Virginia Latham, Anouk's mother
Victor Garber as the narrator (voice)
Production
The miniseries was filmed on location in New York City (substituting for the novel's setting of Melbourne) and features Melissa George, who also played the role of Rosie in the original 2011 Australian adaptation of The Slap novel. Direction was by Michael Morris, Lisa Cholodenko, and Ken Olin. The series was written by Jon Robin Baitz, Walter F. Parkes, and Christos Tsiolkas. Costumes were designed by Jennifer von Mayrhauser and art direction was by Alison Ford. Mary-Louise Parker was originally cast as Anouk, but she had to drop out due to pneumonia and was replaced by Uma Thurman.
Reception
On Metacritic, the show has a 62 rating based on 33 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".