Zachary Quinto and Brian Cox have been cast in NBC’s domestic drama miniseries “The Slap,” about the fallout from a child being slapped at a party.
Based on a novel by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas that was previously adapted as an Australian miniseries, “The Slap” will run for eight episodes.
Quinto, who has starred on “Heroes,” “Star Trek” and “American Horror Story,” will play Harry. Married, with a 15-year-old son, he is a mechanic/dealer specializing in expensive European automobiles, and lives with his family in a Brooklyn loft. Perennially angry but seemingly pleased with his life, he’s something of a Neanderthal, and “always trying to pick a fight.” However, Harry picks on the wrong guy when he slaps the horribly misbehaving child of another couple.
Also read: Peter Sarsgaard and Mary-Louise Parker Cast in NBC’s ‘The Slap’
Cox — an Emmy winner for TV movie “Nuremberg,” an Emmy nomination for guest-starring on “Frasier,” and star of HBO’s “Deadwood” — will play the bearded patriarch of the family, a stern yet magnanimous man. Manolis is also the peacemaker in the family, quick to defray any tension. He’s a strong man with old world values, good-hearted and clearly devoted to his family.
They join Peter Sarsgaard and Mary-Louise Parker on the mini’s cast.
“The Slap,” from Universal Television and Matchbox Pictures, is written by Jon Robin Baitz (“Brothers & Sisters”) and will be directed by Lisa Cholodenko (“The Kids Are All Right.”)
Also read: Fall TV Ratings Preview: Can NBC Stay on Top, or Will CBS Regain the Throne?
The executive producers include Baitz, Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald (“Gladiator,” the “Men in Black” franchise), Ted Gold (“Three Rivers”) and Tony Ayres, a veteran of the Australian series.
Quinto is represented by CAA and Untitled. Cox is repped by Paradigm, Insight and Conway van Gelder Grant (UK).