The Party Star Luke Evans Reveals Why ITV’s Dangerous Love Story Felt So Personal

Luke Evans has revealed the deeply personal reasons he connected with his character in ITV’s major new psychological thriller, The Party. The five-part drama places a lifelong friendship, concealed desire and a devastating secret at the centre of an explosive political gathering.

Luke plays Martin Gilmour, a working-class Welsh boy whose scholarship to an elite boarding school brings him into the orbit of wealthy and charismatic Ben Fitzmaurice, played by Tom Cullen. Martin falls in love with Ben and becomes devoted to him, beginning a complicated relationship that continues to shape both men three decades later.

Now a political journalist, Martin attends Ben’s lavish birthday celebration at the Fitzmaurice family estate. When the Conservative leader resigns and Ben considers launching his own leadership campaign, the publicity threatens to expose everything they have spent years hiding.

The mystery begins with Martin covered in blood inside a police station. The story then moves between the party, the resulting investigation and flashbacks to the men’s school days, university years and lives together in London.

Luke, who also executive produces the drama, said Martin’s experience of entering an unfamiliar and privileged world resonated strongly with him.

“I have always felt like an outsider myself. Even in my industry, when I first became a film actor, I didn’t feel like I belonged.”

The actor grew up in a working-class family in South Wales and was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. He recalled arriving at musical theatre college in London as its only Welsh student and feeling that his accent immediately made him different.

“I related to that side of Martin as well. He had to change his story and needed to be seen around certain people for him to progress.”

Luke personally wanted Tom to play Ben, believing he possessed the physical presence and charisma needed for the character Martin has admired since childhood. He described Tom as the only actor he wanted opposite him in the role.

Tom said Ben’s relationship with Martin gives the privileged politician a rare opportunity to reveal who he truly is. However, years of repression and pressure from his powerful family leave him unable to understand or handle his feelings.

“At its heart, that’s what the show is about. It’s about what happens when we aren’t able to live our lives authentically.”

Adapted from Elizabeth Day’s acclaimed novel, The Party is written by Sarah Solemani, who also stars as Martin’s pregnant wife, Lucy. The cast includes Lydia Leonard as Ben’s formidable wife Serena, Joanna Scanlan as Martin’s mother Sylvia, Lindsay Duncan as Lady Katherine Fitzmaurice and Douglas Hodge as Lord George Fitzmaurice.

Alongside its central mystery, the series explores class, political power, male friendship, identity and the destructive consequences of building a life around secrets. Sarah said the relationship between Martin and Ben evolved during production from a toxic friendship into something far more tragic and emotionally broken.

Luke described the finished drama as “a speeding train and a roller coaster in one,” promising that viewers will be left questioning how far somebody might go to feel loved, accepted and wanted.

The Party launches on Sunday 11 October on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Episode two follows on Monday 12 October