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BBC Four has acquired an Australian adaptation of Christos Tsiolkas’ Man Booker-longlisted novel The Slap.
“Hotel Rwanda” actress Sophie Okenedo, Jonathan La Paglia and Melissa George will star in the series of eight one-hour episodes, described as a “very well made tale of our times” by the channel. BBC Four will broadcast in October.
The Slap follows the repercussions of a summer barbeque, where a man slaps a child who is not his own. Despite not making the shortlist for last year’s Man Booker, the Tuskar Rock/Atlantic title was one of the bestselling titles on the longlist, clocking up sales of 268,000 copies across all print editions through Nielsen BookScan data.
BBC Four controller Richard Klein said: “The book was a runaway success and I'm pleased to bring this very well made tale of our times to the channel."
Sue Deeks, head of BBC programme acquisition, added: "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."
The series was produced by Matchbox Pictures for ABC TV Australia, Screen Australia, Film Victoria and DCD Rights.