The Party: First look at Luke Evans and Tom Cullen in ''shocking' new ITV drama based on a book
The Party follows two friends and birthday celebrations that have 'tragic consequences'
The Party, a new ITV drama based on an acclaimed novel, has unveiled its first look – and according to star Luke Evans, it’s “truly special”.
ITV is a dab hand at turning great books into compelling TV, whether it’s Karen Pirie, Grace, or Playing Nice.
Production is underway on a new adaptation: The Party, a “shocking” new series with an ensemble headed up by Evans and Trespasses star Tom Cullen.
With Trigger Point Season 3 ending this week, you’ll be on the hunt for something else on ITV. It’s a while away yet, but here’s everything we know about The Party so far.
What is The Party on ITV about?
The Party will revolve around lifelong friends Martin and Ben, who confront their pasts at an eventful birthday.
Martin meets Ben at an elite boarding school, where they quickly strike an unbreakable bond. The series will pivot between the past and present, showing how they grew up together and partied in London.
However, according to the synopsis, they’ll face their greatest test when they meet for Ben’s birthday celebrations 30 years later.
“The news of the Conservative leader’s resignation threatens to derail Ben’s party, as he considers announcing his intention to stand,” it teases.
Why is this a problem? A leadership bid would attract a lot of attention and threaten to “dredge up the secrets of their past with tragic consequences.”
“What unfolds is a gripping exploration of identity, privilege and devotion, combined with a tender ode to anyone who has fought to live authentically,” the synopsis adds.
Who is in the cast?
Luke Evans will play Martin in The Party, co-starring alongside Tom Cullen as Ben.
Evans has enjoyed a storied career in TV and film. He’s appeared in plenty of Hollywood movies, like the Fast and Furious franchise and the live-action Beauty and the Beast (in which he played Gaston). He also starred in Netflix’s Murder Mystery.
True crime drama aficionados will also remember him as Steve Wilkins in ITV’s The Pembrokeshire Murders.
Evans said The Party was destined to be a “truly special” TV show. “To now be bringing The Party to life, both as an actor and as an executive producer… is incredibly rewarding,” he added, describing the series as a “gripping exploration of loyalty, class, and the truths we hide.”
Cullen is currently starring in Channel 4’s Troubles thriller Trespasses. He’s had over 20 movie roles, but he’s best known for his TV work. He played Landry du Lauzon in the History Channel’s Knightfall, Anthony Gillingham in Downton Abbey, and he’s joined the cast of House of the Dragon season 3.
The cast also includes:
- Lydia Leonard (Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, Gentlemen Jack) as Serena, Ben’s wife
- Lindsay Duncan (His Dark Materials, The Leftovers) as Ben’s mother, Lady Katherine
- Douglas Hodge (We Lie in Time, The Night Manager) as Ben’s father, Lord George Fitzmaurice
- Joanna Scanlan (Riot Women, After Love) as Martin’s mother
- Sarah Solemani (Him & Her, Bad Education) as Martin’s pregnant wife, Lucy
Solemani is also The Party’s showrunner. She adapted Ridley Road for BBC One, co-wrote Channel 4’s Chivalry, and contributed to HBO’s Barry.
Amaka Okafor, Bally Gill, Sally Scott, Sam Troughton, and Rakie Ayola have also been cast in undisclosed roles.
Is the series based on a book?
Yes, The Party is based on a 2017 novel of the same name by Elizabeth Day.
Day has written five novels in total: Scissors Paper Stone (2012), Home Fires (2013), Paradise City (2015), The Party (2017), and Magpie (2021).
Ahead of the series, she 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.”
Day is also the host of the hit How to Fail podcast, interviewing the likes of Kate Winslet and Celebrity Traitors star Paloma Faith.
Does The Party have a start date on ITV?
ITV hasn’t confirmed a start date for The Party.
Don’t expect to see it until sometime in 2026, given that production only commenced in October 2025.
How many episodes are there?
The Party will have five episodes.
The series will air on both ITV and STV and their respective streaming platforms, ITVX and STV Player.
Where was The Party filmed?
The Party hasn’t confirmed any specific filming locations. Considering the series has received support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, the country estate is likely somewhere in Wales.
There’s also a good chance we could see some familiar bars and areas in London. We’ll update this space when we know more.
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