ITV Releases The Party Thriller Set Across Wales

ITV has released The Party, a five-part thriller adapted from Elizabeth Day's novel, following Martin Gilmour and Ben Fitzmaurice's decades-long friendship amid secrets, politics and class divisions. The drama was filmed across South Wales, with Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf among the main locations.

The series stars Luke Evans as Martin Gilmour and Tom Cullen as Ben Fitzmaurice. According to Elle, the story moves between timelines, from Martin's scholarship at an elite boarding school to a 40th birthday gathering where past events threaten to resurface.

Day said the television adaptation took nearly a decade to reach audiences after her bestselling book was published. The author described her reaction when the project began.

"I thought I was being punked," said Elizabeth Day, author of The Party.

Day recalled receiving news that Luke Evans wanted to develop the adaptation. She said Sarah Solemani's work on the screenplay helped reshape the story for a contemporary audience.

"I received an email from my agent saying that Luke Evans read my book and he wanted to make it next. I thought it was just way too good to be true." said Elizabeth Day, author of The Party.

The adaptation updates political themes from the original novel, which was written before major changes in British politics. Day said the new version reflects a different social landscape.

"It's wild when you think about how much has happened in a decade" said Elizabeth Day, author of The Party.

Solemani adapted the drama after connecting with the themes of the novel. Day said their shared experiences, including time at Cambridge University, influenced the creative process.

"We just had this kind of profound connection from the off, where I felt she completely understood the material," said Elizabeth Day, author of The Party.

The cast and crew filmed in Wales with support from Creative Wales. Executive Producer Laura Cotton told TV Guide that the production benefited from authentic Welsh settings and local talent.

"We set it in Wales, so that all the characters and the atmosphere could be authentically Welsh. Wales provides a beautiful backdrop as well." said Laura Cotton, Executive Producer.

Cotton also highlighted the practical advantages of filming close together in South Wales locations.

"We had an incredible array of locations, all very close to each other. The house where we shot the party was two minutes down the road from the studio where we built many of the sets. It was great.

We also had a Welsh casting director, Sam Jones, who was really familiar with all the Welsh cast. I'm Welsh, too. I'm based there.

So it was a joy to work at home." said Laura Cotton, Executive Producer.

Llanharan House in Rhondda Cynon Taf was used as Denby Hall, the fictional country estate in the series. TV Guide reported that the Grade II-listed Georgian mansion, built in 1753, has previously appeared in productions including Sherlock, Upstairs Downstairs and Doctor Who.

Other filming locations included Cardiff's Roath Park, Swansea Guild Hall, and locations recreated to represent Oxford University and Barcelona. In the novel, Martin and Ben attended Cambridge University, while the television version uses Oxford locations.