The drama also stars Zachary Quinto (The Glass Menagerie, "Star Trek"), Brian Cox (Rock 'n' Roll, "Nuremberg"), Peter Sarsgaard (Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya), Mary-Louise Parker (Proof, The Snow Geese, "Weeds") and Melissa George.
"The Slap" is based on a 2011 Australian series in which the slap in question exposes family secrets that questions the core of American values as all involved are pulled into the incident.
Jon Robin Baitz (Other Desert Cities, "Brothers and Sisters") wrote the series. Lisa Cholodenko is tapped to direct the first two episodes.