Luke Evans Brings Welsh Drama The Party Close To Home

Actor Luke Evans has brought ITV drama The Party to Wales, where he filmed near his childhood home in Aberbargoed while starring as journalist Martin Gilmour and serving as an executive producer on the five-part adaptation of Elizabeth Day's novel.

According to BBC, the production was filmed in Cardiff and Bridgend, marking the first time in 30 years Evans had worked so close to his family. The actor said the experience allowed him to spend time with relatives during filming.

"They were only 25 minutes from me up the road [this time]." Evans said. He explained that his parents Yvonne and David Evans still live in the same terrace house where he grew up.

Evans said the connection to his background influenced his approach to Martin Gilmour, a character shaped by ambition, insecurity and a long friendship with wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by Tom Cullen.

"It allowed me to look at my journey through my own life and where I came from: a small village in South Wales with a religious background, an only child, and then I was dropped into college and later into a career in this business when none of my family are entertainers." Evans said in an interview with Metro.

The actor developed the television adaptation after reading Day's novel and worked with writer Sarah Solemani on bringing the story to screen. Evans told Metro that the process took almost five years before filming began.

"The way we’re shooting it, you learn things about what happened, and then you realise this adult man is carrying all of that s**t around, and he’s now at a party where everyone knows certain things, and that is anxiety." Evans said.

Tom Cullen, who grew up in Wales near Rhayader, stars alongside Evans as Ben Fitzmaurice. According to County Times, the drama brings together two Welsh actors in a major ITV production.

"Tom was my first choice from the second I read the script." Evans said. He added that he had known Cullen for about 12 years before the series was made.

The Party is scheduled to premiere on ITV on 11 October, with the series consisting of five episodes directed by Viviane Andereggen and produced by Richard Burrell.