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The Affair

2014 – 2019Show5 seasons53 episodesTV-MA

Drama
78
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.9Metacritic817.6Rotten Tomatoes85%76%

A deeply romantic, profoundly sad drama series about everyday modern life and family, with standout characters and performances.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling · you're watching with family

Where to watch

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Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Shows with

Episodes

5 seasons · 53 episodes · best: S4E8 "Episode #4.8" 9.2

Episodes

7.9
8.1
7.4
8.2
7.6

Story

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.

Feels like

  • Non-Linear Narrative Structure
  • Subjective Reality & Memory
  • Complex Marital Drama
  • Psychological Depth
  • Melancholic Tone
  • Adult Character Study
  • Grief and Trauma Exploration
  • Interpersonal Ambiguity
  • Slow-Burning Tension

Cast

24 of 393 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Jeffrey Reiner, John Dahl, Colin Bucksey
Written by
Sarah Sutherland, Sarah Treem, Katie Robbins
Music by
Marcelo Zarvos

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 12, 2014 · November 3, 2019 · Ended

First aired
October 12, 2014
Last aired
November 3, 2019
Status
Ended
Length
5 seasons · 53 episodes
Age rating
TV-MA
Content
Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States, Israel
Available in
44 countries

Tropes

Can't Take Criticism, Easily Forgiven, Parents as People +9

  • Can't Take Criticism
  • Easily Forgiven
  • Parents as People
  • Switching P.O.V.
  • Outliving One's Offspring
  • Self-Harm
  • Blatant Lies
  • Surprise Incest
  • Time Skip
  • Awful Wedded Life
  • Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas
  • Happily Married

12 of 71 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Affair?"

Questions about The Affair

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Affair?

PrimefuboTVParamount+The Roku

In the United States, The Affair streams on fuboTV and Paramount+, and it is free with ads on Prime and The Roku. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 43 other countries.

Is The Affair worth watching?

78
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78 (IMDb 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes 85%, and Metacritic 81).

Which season of The Affair is best?

Season 4, with an IMDb average of 8.2. Season 3 is the weakest at 7.4. The highest-rated episode is Episode #4.8 (season 4, episode 8) at 9.2, and the lowest is Episode #5.6 (season 5, episode 6) at 5.9.

How long does it take to watch The Affair?

44 h

About 44 hours: 53 episodes in 5 seasons of about 50 minutes each, aired from 2014 to 2019.

Can I half-watch The Affair?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 10 of 10 for non-linear narrative and 9 for complexity.

Is The Affair good for date night?

Partner WatchAdultsFriends NightSolo Watch

It suits a quiet night in as a couple: romance is 9 of 10, but the viewing guide doesn't list it for date night.

What tropes does The Affair use?

Can't Take CriticismEasily ForgivenParents as PeopleSwitching P.O.V.Outliving One's OffspringSelf-HarmBlatant LiesSurprise IncestTime SkipAwful Wedded LifeEven Bad Men Love Their MamasHappily Marriedand 59 more

TV Tropes lists 71 tropes for it, including Can't Take Criticism, Easily Forgiven, and Parents as People.