The Affair (TV series)

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, New York. Noah is a New York City schoolteacher and Williams College alumnus 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.

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.

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.

Main cast

Recurring cast

Production

On February 8, 2013, it was announced that Showtime had ordered a pilot for The Affair. The network officially picked up the series on January 16, 2014, with a 10-episode order. On November 10, 2014, Showtime renewed the series for a 10-episode second season; however, it was later changed to 12.

Critical response

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." On Metacritic, the series has a score of 85 out of 100, based on 28 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".

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." On Metacritic, it has a score of 78 out of 100 based on 15 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". 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.

The third season received continued positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 80%, based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The consensus reads: "The Affair adds to its cast of strong characters and deepens the mood, tension, and intrigue, even if the plot sometimes struggles to move forward." On Metacritic, it has a score of 72 out of 100 based on 8 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

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. The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on August 16, 2016.

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. The series premiered on Showcase in Australia on February 10, 2015. Sky Atlantic bought the rights to air The Affair in the UK with season one beginning in May 2015.