Filming for the new five-part series starring Luke Evans took place last month
Filming for “The Party” started in Wales last month(Image: World Productions/ITV)
ITV has commissioned an exciting new drama starring Luke Evans. Filming commenced in Wales last month and the show is based on the novel “The Party” by Elizabeth Day. The new five-part series will take the same name and features a star-studded cast including Joanna Scanlan, who hails from West Kirby.
Luke Evans takes on the lead role as Martin Gilmour, a journalist shaped by his lifelong friendship with wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by Tom Cullen. Evans has an impressive list of TV and film credits, including the Fast and Furious franchise, 2019 film Murder Mystery and 2017 film Beauty and the Beast.
He both stars in and is the executive producer of ITV’s new five-part series which tells the tale of a lavish party during which a number of shocking events unfold.
Teasing the storyline for the five-part series, ITV says: “Raised alone by his working-class mum, Sylvia, played by Joanna Scanlan, Martin wins a scholarship to an elite boarding school, where he first meets Ben.
The Party is written and created for ITV by Sarah Solemani who also stars as Martin’s pregnant wife, Lucy (Image: World Productions/ITV)
“They forge an unbreakable bond, as Ben and the Fitzmaurices give Martin the sense of belonging he has always craved. In turn, Martin remains unflinchingly loyal to Ben through even the greatest crises.
“Three decades on, Martin is invited to Ben’s lavish birthday party at the Fitzmaurices’ country pile. The news of the Conservative leader’s resignation threatens to derail Ben’s party, as he considers announcing his intention to stand. Martin fears the publicity that Ben’s bid would bring, dredging up the secrets of their past with tragic consequences …
“The drama moves between the shocking events of the party and the police investigation that follows, with flashbacks to Martin and Ben’s lives at school, university and London party days.”
The story is described as a “gripping exploration of identity, privilege and devotion”. Speaking about the show, Luke Evans said: “From the moment I read Elizabeth Day’s novel, I knew it had the makings of something truly special for television.”
He continued: “To now be bringing The Party to life – both as an actor and as an executive producer through Stoic Productions – is incredibly rewarding. Sarah Solemani’s adaptation captures the emotional depth and tension of the story perfectly, and to collaborate once again with World Productions and ITV, alongside such an extraordinary cast, is a real privilege. The Party is a gripping exploration of loyalty, class, and the truths we hide, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
Tom Cullen stars as Ben Fitzmaurice in The Party(Image: World Productions/ITV)
The Party is written and created for ITV by Sarah Solemani who also stars as Martin’s pregnant wife, Lucy. Other cast members include Lydia Leonard as Serena, Ben’s wife and Lindsay Duncan and Douglas Hodge as Ben’s parents, Lady Katherine and Lord George Fitzmaurice.
Elizabeth Day, who wrote the novel which was published in 2017, said: “I am so thrilled to see this wonderful adaptation of my novel, The Party, come to our screens.
“To be surrounded by this much talent both in front of and behind the camera is a real career highlight – I am incredibly grateful to the brilliant Luke Evans for championing my book in the first place and to everyone at World Productions and ITV who have been so steadfast in their vision for this project.
“I’m also very grateful to Sarah Solemani for lending her myriad talents to the adaptation. It’s unbelievably exciting to witness my characters and the imagined world they inhabit evolving into this compelling, new creative iteration. And yes, I’ve already asked to be an extra. Multiple times.”
The Party commenced filming in Wales during October 2025.
The drama will air on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
