The Slap, an eight-part drama based on the novel by Christos Tsiolkas and currently showing on Australia’s ABC1 channel, is to start in the UK on BBC Four on Thursday 27 October 2011. The show begins with a barbecue to celebrate the 40th birthday of Hector (played by Jonathan LaPaglia). Everything is nicely relaxed as the close friends enjoy each other’s company. But a game of cricket for the children goes wrong and the kids start fighting. Hector’s cousin Harry (played by Alex Dimitriades) in frustration slaps one of the children.
The child’s mother Rosie (played by Melissa George) is outraged and ends up taking Harry to court. As the case proceeds, the show looks at how the incident has affected the characters with each episode devoted to the life of one of them. They are all forced to face fundamental truths about themselves.
"The book was a runaway success and I'm pleased to bring this very well made tale of our times to the channel,” said Richard Klein, controller of BBC Four, in the official BBC press release. “It reflects BBC Four's desire to bring viewers the best programming from around the world and its focus on social contemporary issues will bring a different tone to the channel."
The Actors in The Slap
Jonathan LaPaglia was nominated for a Saturn award for his portrayal of Frank Parker in Seven Days from 1998 to 2001 but his first main role was two years earlier as Detective Tommy McNamara in New York Undercover. He has also played Detective Kevin Debreno in The District, Dave Park in Windfall and Curtis Bell in Cold Case.
Alex Dimitriades won a Film Critic Circle of Australia best actor award for playing Ari in the 1998 film Head On. He has also had two award nominations from the Australian Film Institute, one again for Head On and the other for playing Stefano in the 2001 film La Spagnola. Head On was also based on a Christos Tsiolkas novel – Loaded. Dimitriades' career started playing Nick Polides in the 1993 film The Heartbreak Kid and he went on to play Nick Poulos in the TV series Heartbreak High. Neighbours fans will know him as Steve George in 17 episodes in 1996. Other roles have included Charlie Coustos in Wildside, Lieutenant Velorek in Farscape, Eddie Mercia in Young Lions and Mr T in Underbelly.
Melissa George was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance as Laura Hill in In Treatment and she won an Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for playing Lauren Reed in Alias. She is though best known for playing Angel Parrish in more than 300 episodes of Home and Away. Other roles have included Molly in Roar, Rita in Thieves, Molly in Friends, Freyja in Charmed, Dadie Harris in Grey’s Anatomy and Clara Musso in Lie to Me.
The other five main characters are Aisha (played by Sophie Okonedo), Anouk (played by Essie Davis), Gary (played by Anthony Hayes), Manolis (played by Lex Marinos) and Connie (played by Sophie Lowe).
Also in the show are Blake Davis as Richie, Oliver Ackland as Rhys and Diana Glenn as Sandi. Greek actress Toula Yianni is Manolis's wife, Koula, and Eugenia Fragos plays Elisavet, Hector's sister.
The Team Behind The Slap
The Slap was produced by Matchbox Pictures for ABC TV Australia, Screen Australia, Film Victoria and DCD Rights. Tony Ayres was the showrunner. It was produced by Helen Bowden, Tony Ayres and Michael McMahon.
Directing duties were shared by Tony Ayres, Robert Connolly, Jessica Hobbs and Matthew Saville. Executive producers were Penny Chapman and Carole Sklan. The writing team that adapted the novel for television comprised Emily Ballou, Alice Bell, Brendan Cowell, Kris Mrksa and Cate Shortland.
Steve Rogerson - Steve Rogerson is a UK-based writer specialising in television, technology, sports and beer.
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