The Affair
Seen it?2014 | 5 seasons | Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, though it had a lukewarm 6.7 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong character drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- 5 seasons: a few months of evenings.
- What might put you off
- Rated TV-MA: expect violence.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The emotional effects of an extramarital relationship between Noah, a New York City schoolteacher and budding novelist with a wife of twenty years and four children and Alison, a young waitress and wife from Montauk at the end of Long Island, trying to piece her life back together in the wake of a tragedy.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 3 Golden Globes: 72nd Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress – Television Series Drama, 72nd Golden Globe Awards: Best Television Series – Drama, 73rd Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. Also nominated for 1 Emmy, 1 more Golden Globe and 2 Critics' Choice Awards. Plus 2 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 5 seasons and reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 680K people sought it out in the past year
Season by season
The show overall is a Sunday Safe Bet. Here's how each season stacks up; Season 4 is the high point.
- Season 12014 · 10 episodes · 7.4 out of 10Sunday
- Season 22015 · 12 episodes · 7.3 out of 10Sunday
- Season 32016 · 10 episodes · 7.1 out of 10Sunday
Season 42018 · 10 episodes · 7.7 out of 10Saturday- Season 52019 · 11 episodes · 7.7 out of 10Saturday
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Created by Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi
- Dominic WestNoah Solloway
- Maura TierneyHelen Solloway
- Julia Goldani TellesWhitney Solloway
- Jadon SandTrevor Solloway
- Anna PaquinJoanie Lockhart
- Sanaa LathanJenelle Wilson
- Abigail Dylan HarrisonStacey Solloway