ITV Launches The Party With Luke Evans and Tom Cullen

A lifelong friendship between a journalist and a wealthy politician forms the basis of The Party, a five-part ITV drama that premiered on Sunday, October 11. Starring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen, the series adapts Elizabeth Day's acclaimed novel into a story about privilege, loyalty and secrets that threaten to reshape the lives of its central characters. The drama follows Martin Gilmour, a journalist whose connection to politician Ben Fitzmaurice dates back to their school years.

According to the series synopsis, their friendship develops after Martin, who was raised by his working-class mother, Sylvia, receives a scholarship to an elite boarding school. Ben and his family give Martin a sense of belonging that he has long wanted. In return, Martin remains loyal to Ben through major personal and public crises, creating a bond that becomes central to the unfolding mystery.

The story shifts between Ben's lavish birthday celebration at the Fitzmaurice family country estate and the police investigation that follows. The news of the Conservative leader's resignation threatens to disrupt the gathering as Ben considers announcing his intention to stand, while Martin worries that the resulting publicity could expose secrets from their shared past.

Flashbacks explore the pair's experiences at school, university and during their years in London's party scene. The narrative combines the investigation with the history of their relationship, examining identity, social privilege and devotion. According to the published synopsis, the drama also explores the struggle to live authentically. Its central conflict connects Martin's loyalty to Ben with the possible consequences of revealing their past.

Evans leads the cast as Martin Gilmour. The Welsh actor first gained wider attention in the 2010 remake of Clash of the Titans and subsequently appeared in films including Immortals, The Raven, Dracula Untold, Beauty and the Beast and Pinocchio. He also played Bard the Bowman in The Hobbit trilogy and appeared in Amazon Prime's Nine Perfect Strangers. His role in The Party places him at the center of a story shaped by an enduring friendship and the threat of public exposure.

Cullen plays Ben Fitzmaurice, the politician whose birthday celebration provides the setting for the drama's central crisis. The Welsh actor received critical recognition after appearing in the 2011 independent film Weekend. His television credits include Viscount Gillingham in Downton Abbey, Sir Landry in Knightfall, John Palmer in the BBC crime drama The Gold and Ser Luthor Largent in House of the Dragon.

Joanna Scanlan plays Sylvia Gilmour, Martin's mother, while Sarah Solemani portrays Lucy Gilmour. Solemani also wrote the series. Lydia Leonard appears as Serena Fitzmaurice, with Lindsay Duncan playing Lady Katherine Fitzmaurice and Douglas Hodge portraying Lord George Fitzmaurice.

The supporting cast includes Sam Troughton, Sally Scott, Sinéad Matthews, Bally Gill, Amaka Okafor and Rakie Ayola. Their previous television credits include Chernobyl, Black Doves, Hullraisers, Slow Horses, Secret Service and The Pact, respectively.

The launch adds another drama to ITV's recent television schedule, which also includes the police procedural Winter. Other British productions highlighted during the same period include Blue Lights on the BBC, Michelle Keegan's The Blame, Laura Donnelly's The Dark, Channel 4's The Undeclared War and the legal drama The Split Up.