The American series is an adaptation of an Australian miniseries of the same name, which itself was based on Christos Tsiolkas' 2008 novel.

Christos Tsiolkas, author of the original novel, was one of the writers on the American adaptation alongside Jon Robin Baitz and Walter F. Parkes.

Mary-Louise Parker was originally cast as Anouk but had to drop out due to pneumonia and was replaced by Uma Thurman.

Melissa George reprised a version of the same role, Rosie, that she had played in the original 2011 Australian adaptation of The Slap.

Although the novel and original series were set in Melbourne, the American miniseries was filmed on location in New York City as a substitute setting.

The pilot episode was directed by Lisa Cholodenko, with other episodes directed by Michael Morris and Ken Olin.

Each of the eight episodes is told from the perspective of a different character involved in the aftermath of the slap.