Richard Klein, BBC Four controller, commented: “The book was a runaway success and I’m pleased to bring this very well made tale of our times to the channel.”
The Slap sees a man slap a child who is not his son at a summer BBQ and traces the shattering repercussions of this event upon a group of family and friends as the boy’s parents take the man to court.
Starring Jonathan La Paglia (Cold Case), Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda), Melissa George (Grey’s Anatomy), Essie Davis (Australia) and Alex Dimitriades (Neighbours), the story unfolds through the points of view of eight characters as the court case proceeds, as affairs begin and end, as a pregnancy is decided and marriages morph and change.
Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, commented: “The Slap is a phenomenon, one of those books which everyone seems to be reading. This fine Australian adaptation brings the novel’s keen-eyed dissection of suburban living to the screen with tremendous performances – it is a truly powerful, compelling and thought-provoking watch.”