ITV unveils tense new trailer for The Party starring Luke Evans – WATCH HERE
The Party explores the historic friendship between two men who share an intense, closeted love
By Aaron Sugg
ITV has released a tense new trailer for The Party, an upcoming five-part thriller starring Attitude cover star Luke Evans and co-star Tom Cullen.
Arriving this autumn, The Party is based on Elizabeth Day’s 2017 novel of the same name and follows respected political journalist Martin (Evans) as he attends the lavish 40th birthday party of his best friend, Conservative politician and aristocrat Ben (Cullen).
The trailer opens with weary anti-hero Martin covered in blood and being questioned by police after a shooting at the party.
The Party trailer
The plot unfolds through a series of flashbacks that reveal how one disastrous evening exposed a lifetime of lies, gossip and repressed emotions.
In the preview, Martin also says his “childhood was stolen”, hinting at a deeper and potentially traumatic history between the two men.
Appearing on the cover of Attitude magazine for our September/October issue, Evans opened up about the upcoming drama and his on-screen chemistry with Cullen.
Luke Evans on The Party
“It’s all wrapped up in politics, class, the British hierarchy, old money, new money, social climbing, lies, sexuality, death, deceit, corruption and finding your authentic self,” said Evans. “I mean, seriously, how often do you find all that within one story?” Evans added.
A major part of The Party is the complicated relationship between Martin and Ben. “Yeah, Tom is straight and I’m gay, but there was no discomfort that [our characters] could fall in love, because that story is really the thing that should break everyone’s hearts,” Evans explained.
“We both knew that we wanted this to feel beautiful and passionate and tragic and real. We were also just really good friends, which I think helped a lot.”
Evans draws on his own experience
Raised in the small Welsh town of Aberbargoed with his parents, Yvonne and David Evans, Evans said his working-class roots and upbringing helped him get into the role of Martin.
“You just don’t get those same opportunities in a working-class environment,” said the actor.
The cast also includes Joanna Scanlan, Lydia Leonard, Lindsay Duncan, Douglas Hodge and Sarah Solemani. Solemani, who plays Lucy Gilmour, also writes and produces the series, with Evans serving as an executive producer.
The Party arrives to ITV1 and ITVX this October.