The Party on ITV: Luke Evans and Tom Cullen Face Buried Secrets in Gripping New Five-Part Drama
Luke Evans and Tom Cullen lead ITV drama The Party, as a lavish birthday celebration threatens to expose secrets buried between two lifelong friends.
ITV has unveiled a first look at The Party, a new five-part drama starring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen in a story of friendship, privilege, loyalty and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Based on the acclaimed novel by Elizabeth Day, the drama will air on ITV1 and STV and will also be available to stream on ITVX and STV Player this autumn. The cast also includes Joanna Scanlan, Lydia Leonard, Lindsay Duncan, Douglas Hodge and Sarah Solemani.
At the centre of the story are journalist Martin Gilmour, played by Luke Evans, and wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by Tom Cullen. Their friendship stretches back decades, but one extravagant birthday party is set to place everything they have built under extraordinary pressure.
What is The Party about?
Martin was raised by his working-class mother Sylvia, played by BAFTA award-winning Joanna Scanlan, before winning a scholarship to an elite boarding school. It is there that he first meets Ben and becomes drawn into the Fitzmaurice family’s privileged world.
The friendship gives Martin a sense of belonging he has long craved, while his loyalty to Ben remains firmly in place as they move through school, university and their lives in London.
Three decades later, Martin is invited to Ben’s lavish birthday celebration at the Fitzmaurice family’s country home. However, the political landscape suddenly shifts when the Conservative leader resigns and Ben begins considering whether to put himself forward.
For Martin, the prospect of his old friend attracting greater public attention is deeply unsettling. He fears that increased scrutiny could uncover secrets from their shared past, with potentially tragic consequences.
The drama moves between the events surrounding the birthday party and the police investigation that follows, while flashbacks gradually reveal more about Martin and Ben’s long relationship.
ITV describes the story as an exploration of identity, privilege and devotion, while also examining what it means to fight for the freedom to live authentically.
Who stars in The Party on ITV?
Luke Evans takes the leading role of Martin Gilmour. Evans’ previous television and film credits include Nine Perfect Strangers, Murder Mystery, the Fast & Furious franchise and ITV’s The Pembrokeshire Murders.
Tom Cullen plays Ben Fitzmaurice, Martin’s charismatic and wealthy lifelong friend whose political ambitions threaten to bring their past back into the spotlight. Cullen has previously appeared in The Gold, Trespasses and House of the Dragon.
Joanna Scanlan plays Martin’s mother Sylvia, with the wider cast including Lydia Leonard, Lindsay Duncan and Douglas Hodge. Sarah Solemani, whose previous credits include Chivalry and Ridley Road, created the television adaptation and also appears in the cast.
With its central mystery, decades-long friendship and a story moving between past and present, The Party looks set to be one of ITV’s major new dramas for the autumn schedule.
The Party will air on ITV1 and STV and stream on ITVX and STV Player this autumn.
Keep checking SoapLandTV’s TV & Media Hub for more first looks, casting news, new drama announcements and updates as ITV reveals more about the series.
Images: World Productions in association with Stoic Productions and ITV Studios
