ITV Commissions The Party Adaptation

ITV has greenlit a five-part adaptation of Elizabeth Day’s novel The Party, with Luke Evans (Nine Perfect Strangers, Murder Mystery) on board to star and executive produce.

The drama, produced by World Productions in association with Stoic Productions and ITV Studios, is written by Sarah Solemani (Chivalry, Ridley Road, Barry), who also stars. The cast additionally features Tom Cullen (The Gold, Trespasses), Joanna Scanlan (After Love, Riot Women), Lydia Leonard (Ten Percent, Gentleman Jack) and more.

Others in the cast are Lindsay Duncan (The Morning Show, H is for Hawk, His Dark Materials), Douglas Hodge (We Live in Time, Pillion, The Night Manager), Sam Troughton (Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, Mank, Chernobyl), Sally Scott (Crow Girl, Black Doves, The Tower), Sinéad Matthews (Down Cemetery Road, Hullraisers, The Crown), Bally Gill (Slow Horses, Interview With The Vampire), Amaka Okafor (Secret Service, Black Rabbit, Bodies) and Rakie Ayola (Falling, The Pact 2, Grace).

Viviane Andereggen (Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, Kleo) is directing the adaptation, with Richard Burrell (Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, All Creatures Great and Small) producing.

The Party centers on journalist Martin Gilmour, who has been shaped by his lifelong friendship with the wealthy and charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice. The drama explores identity, privilege and devotion.

It will air on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.

“From the moment I read Elizabeth Day’s novel, I knew it had the makings of something truly special for television,” Evans said. “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.”

“It’s a privilege to be working with Luke again, who brought me Elizabeth’s brilliant novel of class, love and betrayal during the dark days of the pandemic,” commented Simon Heath, CEO and creative director of World Productions and executive producer of the series. “Sarah’s terrific adaptation has attracted a stellar cast, and I can’t wait to get started.”

“I am delighted to be working with Luke Evans and Simon Heath again,” said Polly Hill, director of drama at ITV. “Sarah Solemani has done a brilliant adaptation of Elizabeth Day’s novel, which makes this an exciting new drama for ITV and one I think audiences will love.”

Solemani commented, “Class, sex, shame, power, betrayal, secrets—stunned ITV are letting me air my dirty laundry for our new show The Party, stewarded by the legendary World Productions.”

“I am so thrilled to see this wonderful adaptation of my novel, The Party, come to our screens,” Day added. “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. And yes, I’ve already asked to be an extra. Multiple times.”