Watch The Affair

The Affair is a drama television series that premiered on Showtime in 2014 and ran for five seasons until 2019. The show explores the emotional and psychological effects of an extramarital affair between Noah Solloway, a New York City schoolteacher and novelist, and Alison Bailey, a young waitress recovering from tragedy.

The series begins when Noah, a married father of four, heads to Montauk for the summer with his family. He meets Alison, whose husband Cole owns a local ranch. There is an instant attraction between Noah and Alison, who is still grieving the recent death of her young son. Despite both being married, they begin a passionate affair that ultimately devastates their respective families and relationships.

A distinctive storytelling technique used in The Affair is showing the events from both Noah and Alison's perspectives, with each character's version differing at times. This device highlights the unreliability of memory and the subjectivity of truth, as Noah and Alison recount the same experiences but remember them differently.

As the affair intensifies, Noah grows increasingly dissatisfied in his stale marriage to Helen, while Alison struggles to move on from her son's death. Yet despite the excitement of their new relationship, Noah and Alison must face the consequences of their actions on their pre-existing lives. The affair affects their marriages, careers, friendships and even leads to legal troubles.

The Affair explores themes of marriage, infidelity, grief, family dynamics, midlife crises and the human tendency to rewrite one's personal narrative. The coastal setting of Montauk and the luxurious beachside communities full of wealthy New Yorkers provide an aspirational yet troubled backdrop for the steamy drama.

With a talented ensemble cast featuring Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney and Joshua Jackson, the critically acclaimed series earned multiple awards and nominations for its searing, nuanced portrayal of all sides of an illicit romance. The realistic and complex characterizations examine relationships, ethics, passion and the quest for happiness even in the face of tragedy.

Combining steamy scenes with profound emotional drama, the gripping plot and daring storytelling of The Affair captivated viewers seeking a thoughtful adult drama about love, lies and consequence.

The Affair is a series that ran for 5 seasons (53 episodes) between October 12, 2014 and on Showtime