Elizabeth Day Releases ITV Adaptation Of The Party Drama

Elizabeth Day’s novel The Party has been adapted into a five-part ITV drama featuring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen, with the series exploring the friendship between journalist Martin and politician Ben Fitzmaurice after their school years and the secrets surrounding their relationship.

The adaptation is based on Day’s 2017 novel and follows Martin, a working-class scholarship student who forms a bond with wealthy Ben at an elite boarding school. Decades later, their connection is tested during Ben’s birthday party and a police investigation into events from their past.

Day said the television version gave her the chance to see another creative team reshape her story while she served as an executive producer. The author praised the work of writer Sarah Solemani in expanding the characters and updating the plot for television.

"I’m feeling so excited about it. It’s also that surreal feeling, like when you’re a kid and you still believe in Father Christmas: I can’t get my head around the fact that it’s actually happening. It’s such a stellar cast and crew," said Elizabeth Day.

Day explained that the move from page to screen required different storytelling choices because television relies more heavily on dialogue and performance. She said she was comfortable allowing the adaptation to develop beyond the original novel.

"I don’t know if I’m weird, but I really liked letting go," said Elizabeth Day.

She added that the difference between writing a book and producing a television program made the adaptation process valuable for her as an author.

"I love writing books, but a TV programme is a completely different set of metrics and a completely different skill. I wanted to hand it over and see how it evolved," said Elizabeth Day.

Day highlighted Solemani’s role in developing the adaptation, including the expansion of existing characters and the creation of new story elements for the five-hour drama.

"Sarah Solemani has done a terrific job of all that," said Elizabeth Day.

She continued her praise for the screenwriter’s approach to bringing the story into a contemporary television format.

"and of bringing it bang up to date," said Elizabeth Day.

After the series launch, Day said she was working on another novel while continuing to read and watch other creative works for inspiration.

"I’m also in that horrendous phase of thinking it’s awful and I’m the worst writer ever," said Elizabeth Day.

Day described that self-doubt as part of her recurring writing process and said cultural influences remain important while developing new books.

"I go through that with every book, but I forget that I do, and every time it feels uniquely shameful. It’s also very important for me as a writer to take in influences from the culture, so I’m watching a lot of TV and reading a lot of books," said Elizabeth Day.

Beyond television, Day has also promoted reading spaces through the BookMarks project, an interactive map designed to help readers find places to read across the UK and Ireland.

"Reading is integral to my inspiration as a writer," said Elizabeth Day.

Day identified Vauxhall Park in London as one of her preferred reading locations, describing its connection to the history and atmosphere of the area where she lives.

"I love Vauxhall. I’m biased, because I live here, but it’s a really historic part of London," said Elizabeth Day.

She also described how the park provides a setting where readers can step away from daily routines and connect with their surroundings.

"Vauxhall Park isn’t quite the same place, but it’s close. I can walk out of my door to the park and sit on a bench surrounded by lovely lavender beds and people coming and going. On weekday mornings there’s often a tai chi group practising," said Elizabeth Day.

Day said reading can create connections between people and help readers understand themselves and others.

"Reading connects us, and it connects us to ourselves. It helps us understand who we are and how other humans behave, and it increases our empathy. Those are all great things," said Elizabeth Day.

The Party airs on ITV1 at 9pm on Sunday 11 October 2026 and will be available for streaming on ITVX.