ITV's new dark drama The Party, starring Welsh actor Luke Evans, launches on Sunday October 11 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The series, based on Elizabeth Day's novel, was filmed and set in Wales and reunites Evans with World Productions, the company behind The Pembrokeshire Murders and Line of Duty.
Plot of The Party
The Party follows Martin Gilmour (Luke Evans), a journalist whose lifelong bond with wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice (Tom Cullen) goes back to their days at an elite boarding school, where Martin arrived on a scholarship. When Ben and his family offer Martin the sense of belonging he craves, he remains loyal through turbulent times. Three decades on, an invitation to Ben's party sets off a chain of events that changes everything.
Written and created by Sarah Solemani, who also plays Martin's expectant wife Lucy, the synopsis reads: "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."
When to Watch and Cast
The second episode airs Monday October 12, the third on Tuesday October 13, the fourth on Sunday October 18, and the final episode on Monday October 19. The series will not be available as a full boxset on ITVX.
The cast includes Luke Evans as Martin Gilmour, Tom Cullen as Ben Fitzmaurice, Sarah Solemani as Lucy Gilmour, Joanna Scanlon as Sylvia Gilmour, Lydia Leonard as Serena Fitzmaurice, Lindsay Duncan as Lady Katherine Fitzmaurice, Douglas Hodge as Lord George Fitzmaurice, and Jonathon Houlston as Young Martin Gilmour. Supporting cast includes Sam Troughton, Sally Scott, Sinead Matthews, Bally Gill, Amaka Okafor, Rakie Ayola and Harper Towns.
Filming Locations in Wales
Though Elizabeth Day's book is set in the Cotswolds, the team changed the location to make it more authentic to Luke Evans, setting and filming the series in Wales. Filming took place at Bridgend's Dragon Studios and locations including Swansea, Cardiff, Port Talbot and Oxford.
Filming locations include Howells School in Llandaff, Cardiff; Margam Discovery Centre, Port Talbot; Llandaff Rugby Club, Cardiff; New College Cloisters and Exeter College in Oxford; Cardiff University Main Campus, University Hall, Glamorgan Building, Heath Park West, Maindy Barracks and Cardiff Bay in Cardiff; Sessions House in Usk; Heronston Hotel & Leisure Club in Bridgend; Bay Studios and Swansea Guildhall in Swansea; an Airbnb in Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed; Mocka Lounge and Nightshade in Cardiff; Heath and Roath in Cardiff; and Plas Cilybebyll Manor in Pontardawe, Swansea.
