NBC is close to finalising a deal to adapt The Slap for the US market.
Deadline reports Brothers & Sisters creator Jon Robin Baitz will write the adaptation and executive produce with Matchbox Pictures’ Tony Ayres and US producers Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald and Ted Gold.
NBC-Universal is an investor in Australia’s Matchbox Pictures.
Tony Ayres told TV Tonight, “We are thrilled to be working with such accomplished producers as Parkes Macdonald, and excited to see how the premise of The Slap which really is universal in its reach and effect, will translate in particular into the American context.”
The Slap, based on a book by Christos Tsolkias, has picked up a swag of awards including AACTAs, Logies, AWGIEs, Australian Director’s Guild awards and nominations from the BAFTAs and Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
The news follows confirmation last week that ABC’s Rake is in development for a US adaptation with Greg Kinnear in the title role.
Heaps of Aussie dramas are “developed” in the States (a script is re-written). Doesn’t mean they’ll commission a pilot, let alone a series.
Wilfred is the exception to the rule. I cannot help thinking that this will get the “Episodes” treatment
NBC? Uh-oh. I’d have more faith if it was honestly, anyone else.
@ticky Wilfred is almost unanimously praised, and in my opinion, is much better than the Australian version
The original already played in the US.
My god, why not just play the original. Our TV is littered with their accents and their “stories”
American Producer: “oh, no you can’t slap a child on TV , how about we make it about gluten intolerant child instead”
…show ruined!
@ticky – Comedy? I’ll make the assumption the comedy you are talking about is ‘Rake’ and not ‘The Slap’…. ?
When has an adaption of an Aussie comedy ever worked out well for a US network?
Can’t imagine why….vastly over rated program….
I would say this will go to one of the commercial networks. Probably stuff it up too