ITV viewers can watch a new five-part drama this weekend which is based on a novel by Elizabeth Day.
The Pembrokeshire Murders star Luke Evans plays Martin Gilmour, a journalist shaped by his lifelong friendship with the wealthy and charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by House of the Dragon star Tom Cullen.
Raised alone by his working-class mum, Sylvia, Martin wins a scholarship to an elite boarding school, where he meets Ben.
They forge an unbreakable bond, as Ben and the Fitzmaurices 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 later, Martin is invited to Ben’s lavish birthday party at the Fitzmaurices' 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.
The drama moves between the shocking events of the party and the police investigation that follows, with flashbacks to Martin and Ben’s lives at school, university and London party days.
ITV says viewers can expect a gripping exploration of identity, privilege and devotion, combined with a tender ode to anyone who has fought to live authentically.
Full cast list for The Party
Here is the full cast list for The Party, according to the Radio Times, including:
- Luke Evans (executive producer of The Party) as Martin Gilmour
- Ben Fitzmaurice as Tom Cullen
- Joanna Scanlan as Sylvia Gilmour
- Sarah Solemani (writer and creator of The Party) as Lucy Farni
- Lydia Leonard as Serena Fitzmaurice
- Lindsay Duncan as Lady Katherine Fitzmaurice
- Douglas Hodge as Lord George Fitzmaurice
- Phoenix Laroche as Barnaby Fitzmaurice
- Tilly Walker as Cosima Fitzmaurice
- Kath Hughes as DC Janet Protheroe
- Rhian Blythe as DS Sam Hughes
- Amaka Okafor as Amina Bates
- Bally Gill as Dominic Choudhry
- Rakie Ayola as Elinor Winner
- Sally Scott as Clarissa Conrad
- Sam Troughton as Jarvis Conrad
- Sinéad Matthews as Heidi Thompson
- Lee Mengo as Ian Morgan
- Rhys Parry Jones as Sgt John Griffiths
- Andrew Havill as Howard Pierson
- Jonathan Houlston as young Martin Gilmour
- Rudi Goodman as young Jarvis Conrad
- Lucas Ely as young Ben Fitzmaurice
- Kerrie Hayes as Rachel Samuels
- Isabella Brownson as Phoebe Fitzmaurice
- Jack Llewellyn as the rugby coach
How to watch The Party on ITV
The Party, which was filmed in Wales in October last year, will air on ITV1 and ITVX from 9pm on Sunday, October 11.
Talking about the new series, Luke Evans said: “From the moment I read Elizabeth Day’s novel, I knew it had the makings of something truly special for television.
“To now be bringing The Party to life - both as an actor and as an executive producer through Stoic Productions - is incredibly rewarding.
“Sarah Solemani’s adaptation captures the emotional depth and tension of the story perfectly, and to collaborate once again with World Productions and ITV, alongside such an extraordinary cast, is a real privilege.
“The Party is a gripping exploration of loyalty, class, and the truths we hide, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
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Author Elizabeth Day said: “I am so thrilled to see this wonderful adaptation of my novel, The Party, come to our screens.
“To be surrounded by this much talent both in front of and behind the camera is a real career highlight - I am incredibly grateful to the brilliant Luke Evans for championing my book in the first place and to everyone at World Productions and ITV who have been so steadfast in their vision for this project.
"I'm also very grateful to Sarah Solemani for lending her myriad talents to the adaptation.
“It's unbelievably exciting to witness my characters and the imagined world they inhabit evolving into this compelling, new creative iteration.”
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