The Affair (TV series)
| The Affair | |
|---|---|
 Television release poster | |
| Genre |
Drama Mystery Psychological drama |
| Created by | |
| Starring | |
| Opening theme | "Container" by Fiona Apple[1] |
| Composer(s) | Marcelo Zarvos |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 24 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
|
| Location(s) |
Brooklyn, New York Long Island City, New York City Westchester County, New York, Montauk, New York |
| Cinematography |
Steven Fierberg Tod Campbell |
| Editor(s) |
Louis Cioffi Todd Desrosiers Dana Congdon Agnes Grandits Pete Beaudreau |
| Running time | 50–60 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | Showtime |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Original release | October 12, 2014 – present |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
The Affair is an American television drama series created by Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi.[2] The series premiered on Showtime on October 12, 2014. A TV-14 version of the pilot episode was made available online beginning on October 6, 2014, via YouTube, SHO.com, and several other on-demand formats.[3]
A 12-episode second season of The Affair premiered on October 4, 2015.[4] On December 9, 2015, the series was renewed for a third season,[5] which debuted on November 20, 2016.[6]
The series won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama and Ruth Wilson won the award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards in 2015. At the 73rd Golden Globe Awards in 2016, Maura Tierney won the award for Best Supporting Actress.
Overview
The Affair explores the emotional effects of an extramarital relationship between Noah Solloway and Alison Lockhart (Dominic West and Ruth Wilson) when they meet in the resort town of Montauk in Long Island. Noah is a New York City schoolteacher and Williams College alum who has had one novel published and is struggling to write a second book. He is happily married with four children, but he resents his dependence on his wealthy father-in-law. Alison is a young waitress trying to piece her life and marriage back together in the wake of her child's sudden death. The story of the affair is depicted from Noah's and Alison's perspectives respectively, complete with memory bias.[7]
In season two, the narrative is expanded to include the perspectives of their original spouses, Helen Solloway (Maura Tierney) and Cole Lockhart (Joshua Jackson) as they all move forward with the dissolution of their marriages and deal with the ramifications.[8]
The subsequent death of Cole's brother, Scott (Colin Donnell), and the ensuing police investigation and criminal trial, are explored in brief future scenes at the end of most episodes.
The third season is set three years later and introduces another perspective, Juliette Le Gall (Irène Jacob), Noah's new love interest.[9]
Cast
Main cast
- Dominic West as Noah Solloway
- Ruth Wilson as Alison Lockhart (née Bailey)
- Maura Tierney as Helen Solloway (née Butler)
- Joshua Jackson as Cole Lockhart
- Julia Goldani Telles as Whitney Solloway
- Jake Siciliano as Martin Solloway
- Jadon Sand as Trevor Solloway
- Leya Catlett (seasons 1–2) and Abigail Dylan Harrison (season 3) as Stacey Solloway
- Josh Stamberg as Max Cadman, Noah's best friend (season 2, recurring season 1)
- Catalina Sandino Moreno as Luisa Lèon, Cole's fiancée (season 3, recurring season 2)
- Omar Metwally as Dr. Vic Ullah, Helen's boyfriend (season 3, recurring season 2)
- Irène Jacob as Juliette Le Gall, Noah's love interest (season 3)
Recurring cast
- Victor Williams as Detective Jeffries
- John Doman as Bruce Butler, Helen's father
- Kathleen Chalfant as Margaret Butler, Helen's mother
- Mare Winningham as Cherry Lockhart, Cole's mother
- Colin Donnell as Scott Lockhart, Cole's brother
- Danny Fischer as Hal Lockhart, Cole's brother
- Michael Godere as Caleb Lockhart, Cole's brother
- Kaija Matiss as Mary-Kate Lockhart, Hal's wife
- Deirdre O'Connell as Athena Bailey, Alison's mother
- Nicolette Robinson as Jane, waitress at The Lobster Roll
- Darren Goldstein as Oscar Hodges, owner of The Lobster Roll
- Stephen Kunken as Harry, a publisher
- Lynn Cohen as Joan Bailey, Alison's grandmother (season 1)
- Jennifer Esposito as Nina Solloway, Noah's sister (season 2–present)
- Richard Schiff as Jon Gottlief, Noah's attorney (season 2)
- Joanna Gleason as Yvonne, a publisher who, along with her husband Robert, owns the guest house in which Allison and Noah stay (season 2)
- Peter Friedman as Robert, Yvonne's husband (season 2)
- Brendan Fraser as Gunther, a prison guard (season 3)
Production
On February 8, 2013, it was announced that Showtime had ordered a pilot for The Affair.[10] The network officially picked up the series on January 16, 2014, with a 10-episode order.[2] On November 10, 2014, Showtime renewed the series for a 10-episode second season;[11] however, it was later changed to 12.[12]
Episodes
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | ||||
| 1 | 10 | October 12, 2014 | December 21, 2014 | ||
| 2 | 12 | October 4, 2015 | December 20, 2015 | ||
| 3 | 10[13] | November 20, 2016 | TBA | ||
Reception
Critical response
| Season | Critical response | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | ||
| 1 | 89% (49 reviews) | 85 (28 reviews) | |
| 2 | 92% (19 reviews) | 78 (15 reviews) | |
| 3 | 86% (14 reviews) | 72 (8 reviews) | |
The first season received praise from critics. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 89%, based on 49 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The consensus reads: "Thanks to some smart, creative storytelling and spectacular performances, The Affair is a somber, bewitching exploration of truth and desire."[14] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 85 out of 100, based on 28 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[15]
The second season received continued positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 92%, based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The consensus reads: "The Affair shifts its emphasis in season two, moving psychological drama to the foreground and expanding the show's central crime story to include two new points of view."[16] On Metacritic, it has a score of 78 out of 100 based on 15 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[17] Gwen Ihnat of The A.V. Club gave it an "A-" grade and wrote that "With its bold new move to double our number of perspectives, it appears that The Affair will sail over that sophomore slump that has felled so many other Showtime dramas.[18]
The third season received continued positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 86%, based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10.[19] On Metacritic, it has a score of 72 out of 100 based on 8 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]
Awards and nominations
Home media
The first season was released on DVD in region 1 on August 4, 2015. The set contains all 10 episodes, plus special features, including character profiles and costume featurettes.[31] The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on August 16, 2016.[32]
International broadcast
In Canada, the series premiered simultaneously with the American broadcast on October 12, 2014, and airs on Movie Central and The Movie Network.[33] The series premiered on Showcase in Australia on February 10, 2015.[34] Sky Atlantic bought the rights to air The Affair in the UK with season one beginning in May 2015.[35]
References
- ↑ Zuckerman, Esther (October 2, 2014). "'The Affair' opening credits feature new Fiona Apple song: Listen". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (January 16, 2014). "Showtime To Pick Up Drama 'The Affair', Philip Seymour Hoffman Comedy To Series". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ↑ "'The Affair' Premiere: Showtime Sneaking Early Look Today". Deadline.com. October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (July 23, 2015). "'Homeland' Season 5 & 'The Affair' Season 2 to Premiere Sunday, October 4 on Showtime". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ↑ Ausiello, Michael (December 9, 2015). "Homeland, The Affair Renewed". TVLine. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ↑ Holloway, Daniel (June 1, 2016). "'Shameless,' 'The Affair,' 'Masters of Sex' Season Premiere Dates Set at Showtime". Variety. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ↑ "Showtime(R) Releases Key Art for "The Affair," Premiering Sunday, October 12th at 10 PM ET/PT" (Press release). Showtime. August 26, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ↑ Highfill, Samantha (August 11, 2015). "The Affair boss explains how season 2 will work with four perspectives". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ↑ Miller, Julie (August 11, 2016). "The Affair Unveils Game-Changing Season 3 Twist". Vanity Fair. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2013). "Showtime Gives Pilot Order To 'Affair'". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (November 10, 2014). "Showtime Renews Homeland for Season 5, The Affair for Season 2". TVLine. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ↑ "2015 Showtime Fall Programming Overview" (Press release). Showtime. August 21, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ↑ "The Affair". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ↑ "The Affair: Season 1 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ↑ "The Affair - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "The Affair: Season 2 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- ↑ "The Affair - Season 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
- ↑ Ihnat, Gwen (October 2, 2015). "Emotional drama The Affair gets even more intimate in season 2". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
- ↑ "The Affair: Season 3 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ↑ "The Affair - Season 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ↑ Swift, Andy (January 11, 2015). "Golden Globes 2015: Gina Rodriguez, Transparent, The Affair Win Big". TVLine. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ↑ "Satellite Awards (2014)". International Press Academy. December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
- ↑ Gelman, Vlada (December 4, 2014). "Good Wife, True Detective, Thrones, Louie Among 2015 WGA Nominees". TVLine. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 17, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards: TV Winners Include Fargo, Mr. Robot, Master of None, Rachel Bloom and Carrie Coon". TVLine. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 10, 2016). "Golden Globes: Mr. Robot and Mozart Win Big; Taraji P. Henson, Lady Gaga, Jon Hamm, Rachel Bloom Grab Gold". TVLine. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ↑ "People's Choice Awards: 42nd People's Choice Awards Nominees". People's Choice Awards. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Actor in a Series, Drama 2015 Nominees". Press Academy. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
- ↑ Hipes, Patrick (July 14, 2016). "The 68th Annual Emmy Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ↑ Winfrey, Graham (November 14, 2016). "Critics' Choice Television Awards: HBO Leads 22 Nominations". IndieWire. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ↑ Kilday, Gregg (November 29, 2016). "Satellite Awards Nominees Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ↑ Lambert, David (May 19, 2015). "The Affair - Showtime/Paramount Announces 'Season 1' on DVD: Date, Box, Extras". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
- ↑ Lambert, David (May 31, 2016). "The Affair - 'Season 2' DVDs Announced by Showtime/Paramount ***UPDATE: EXTRAS!***". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Showtime's Sexy and Emotionally Gripping Drama THE AFFAIR Premieres on Movie Central and The Movie Network, October 12" (Press release). The Movie Network. August 27, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ↑ Knox, David (January 12, 2014). "Airdate: The Affair". TV Tonight. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ↑ Plunkett, John (March 20, 2015). "Dominic West drama The Affair to air on Sky Atlantic". The Guardian. Retrieved March 21, 2015.