Peter Sarsgaard and Mary-Louise Parker have both been cast in lead roles for the upcoming US adaption of the 2011 Australian series, The Slap.
The series is described as a complex family drama that unravels when a man slaps another couple’s misbehaving child. The ensuing domestic dispute starts a feud that pulls the families apart.
Sarsgaard has been cast as Hector, described as a loving husband and father who is tempted by his wife’s teenage receptionist at a party where his cousin slaps a child. Parker will play Anouk, Hector’s close friend who’s the head writer on a TV show and is now dating the younger leading man. These roles were played by Jonathan LaPaglia and Essie Davis in the original Australian version.
The eight-hour miniseries was adapted for the US by “Brothers & Sisters: creator Jon Robin Baitz for NBC and will be produced by Australia’s Matchbox Pictures and Universal Television. Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right) will direct the first two hours.
The original series was based on a novel by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas. Sarsgaard appeared recently in AMC and Netflix’s “The Killing”, while Parker is known for her starring role in Showtime’s quirky series, “Weeds”.
