NBC's The Slap has added two more players.
Thandie Newton and Melissa George have boarded the eight-episode miniseries in co-starring roles, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The Slap centers on the fallout after a man slaps another couple's misbehaving child at a family barbeque. This small event sparks a massive family dispute that exposes secrets, prompts a lawsuit and tears the family apart. Peter Sarsgaard, Mary-Louise Parker, Zachary Quinto and Brian Cox star.
Newton has been cast as Aisha, Hector's (Sarsgaard) wife, who is a doctor and mother of their two children. Organized, she readies herself for the onslaught as she makes preparations for Hector's birthday party, irritated but somewhat amused when her in-laws show up. Aisha is often stressed but philosophical.
George, who starred in the original Australian version, will portray Rosie, Gary's hippy wife and mother to 5-year-old Hugo on whom she lavishes attention. Defensive about her decision to keep Hugo at home rather than send him to preschool, she is a meddlesome mom, scolding the older children whom she thinks are bullying her precious son.
Based on the Australian series, Jon Robin Baitz (The West Wing, Brothers & Sisters) penned the Universal Television drama. He'll serve as an executive producer alongside Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Ted Gold and Tony Ayres. Lisa Cholodenko will direct. A premiere date has not been set.
Newton is repped by WME, U.K.'s Independent Talent and Untitled. She has had a busy year thus far, toplining DirecTV's Rogue, as well as co-starring in HBO's star-packed Westworld pilot. George is repped by WME, U.K.'s Vic Murray and 3 Arts.
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