Luke Evans and Tom Cullen lead the cast of ITV's new psychological thriller The Party, adapted from Elizabeth Day's novel of the same name. The five-part series airs on ITV1 on Sunday, October 11 at 9pm.
Written by award-winning showrunner Sarah Solemani, the drama follows a tale of obsession and betrayal set over the course of a dinner party. Luke Evans plays Martin Gilmour, opposite Tom Cullen as wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice, whose decades-long friendship sits at the centre of the story.
Official synopsis
The official synopsis reads: "Raised alone by his working-class mum, Sylvia, Martin wins a scholarship to an elite boarding school, where he first meets Ben. They forge an unbreakable bond, as Ben and the Fitzmaurice's give Martin the sense of belonging he has always craved."
"In turn, Martin remains unflinchingly loyal to Ben through even the greatest crises. Three decades on, Martin is invited to Ben's lavish birthday party at the Fitzmaurice's country pile. The news of the Conservative leader's resignation threatens to derail Ben's party, as he considers announcing his intention to stand. Martin fears the publicity that Ben's bid would bring, dredging up the secrets of their past with tragic consequences."
Luke Evans as Martin Gilmour
Martin is a calculated and buttoned-up man, an apolitical journalist whose opinion pieces always seem to favour Ben Fitzmaurice's position. As the new scholarship boy from South Wales, Martin fell in love with Ben at school and has kept himself in Ben's circle ever since, by whatever means necessary. Martin remains loyal to Ben, despite a secret in their past which caused a seismic shift in their relationship, and these days has to contend with Ben's growing family and political ambitions. That is until the secrets that have bound Martin to Ben threaten to come out.
Welsh actor and singer Luke began his career on the stage before making his film breakthrough in the 2010 remake of Clash of the Titans. Following his debut, he was cast in the action thriller films Immortals, The Raven and the reimagined The Three Musketeers.
Tom Cullen as Ben Fitzmaurice
Ben is a confident, charismatic man who has had the world laid at his feet. Born into landed gentry, Ben is a Conservative Party MP with eyes on the party leadership. He has a charm that comes with growing up with an innate safety net. A gifted speaker and bluffer, Ben has the ability to hold a room with ease but beneath this bluster run deeper emotions that Ben has yet to face up to. When his own impulsive decisions throw everything into disarray at his birthday party, Ben is forced to confront his dark past head on.
Welsh actor Tom is best known for his roles as Viscount Gillingham in Downton Abbey, Sir Landry in Knightfall, John Palmer in the BBC crime drama The Gold, and Ser Luthor Largent in the HBO fantasy drama House of the Dragon.
Supporting cast
Joanna Scanlan plays Sylvia Gilmour, Martin's mother. A single mother since her husband, a carpenter, died in an industrial accident when Martin was only ten, Sylvia is a humble and religious nurse whose warmth and strength provide a rock for Martin. Joanna is known for roles in The Thick of It, Big School, Puppy Love, No Offence, Requiem, The Larkins and Riot Women. She was nominated for three BAFTA TV Awards for Getting On including two for Best Writing.
Lydia Leonard plays Serena Fitzmaurice, Ben's wife and mother of his four children. A former party girl and high-flying lawyer who now exudes serenity, Serena is the epitome of wealth, fertility and style, but can turn on a dime when her carefully laid plans come under threat. Lydia starred as Jane Rochford in the 2024 TV adaptation of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light and is also known for Quacks, Ten Percent and The Crown.
Sarah Solemani plays Lucy Farni, Martin's wife. Currently halfway through a pregnancy that has been hard fought for, Lucy is a witty, off-beat woman who sits uncomfortably in the lavish world of her husband's best friend. Sarah is best known for her role as Becky in the BAFTA-winning sitcom Him & Her and playing Renee Zellweger's best friend Miranda in Bridget Jones's Baby, for which she was nominated for an Evening Standard Best Actress Award.
Lindsay Duncan CBE plays Lady Katherine Fitzmaurice, Ben's mother. A pillar of British aristocratic stoicism, Katherine has had to exercise extreme forgiveness and poise after losing her daughter at a young age. Douglas Hodge plays Lord George Fitzmaurice, Ben's father, described as the epitome of class and money, ruthless, focused, charming and fraternal. Douglas has appeared in Robin Hood, Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return, Diana, Penny Dreadful, Catastrophe, Joker, Lost in Space and The Great.
The Party debuts on ITV1 on Sunday, October 11 at 9pm.
