Luke Evans is at the center of the conversation around ITVX thriller The Party, a fast-moving Elizabeth Day adaptation that has earned strong early reviews and a striking comparison with Saltburn. The Telegraph described the series as a “juicy psychological thriller” in which the Tory party gets a Saltburn-style makeover, while The Guardian called it a “pacey, perfectly cast thriller” and “enormous fun.”
Those reviews have made The Party one of the more talked-about new British dramas, particularly for viewers drawn to stories about power, privilege and political influence. The series combines a literary source, a high-profile cast and a deliberately provocative premise: a psychological thriller that turns its attention to Britain’s political elite.
What is The Party about?
The Party is a television adaptation of Elizabeth Day’s book. Its story is framed as a dark, entertaining thriller involving the Tory party and the social world around it. The Telegraph’s Saltburn comparison points to the show’s interest in wealth, status and the corrosive behavior that can emerge when people compete for access and influence.
That does not make The Party a straightforward political drama. The reviews emphasize its thriller elements and its sense of fun, suggesting a series built around suspense, sharp social observation and an eye-catching setting. The Guardian’s description of the show as “pacey” also highlights its brisk momentum rather than a slow, solemn approach to prestige television.
The adaptation is associated with Sarah Solemani, whose work is identified in The Guardian’s headline. The result has been presented as a glossy, provocative take on Day’s original material, with the political backdrop providing the tension and the social satire.
Why is The Party being compared with Saltburn?
The comparison comes from The Telegraph, which described the drama as giving the Tory party a “Saltburn makeover.” The reference connects The Party with the same kind of darkly comic examination of privilege, social ambition and elite environments that made Saltburn a major cultural talking point.
The comparison is best understood as a description of tone and subject matter, not as a claim that the two stories are identical. The Party is being marketed through its mix of political satire and psychological suspense, while its reviews stress that it is also highly watchable. For audiences who want a thriller with social bite, that combination is a clear part of the appeal.
What has Luke Evans said about filming the drama?
Luke Evans told the BBC that filming the new television drama close to home was “joyous.” His comment gives the production a personal angle, particularly because the location allowed him to work near where he lives rather than treating the project as a distant or disruptive commitment.
Evans’ involvement has also helped draw attention to the series. The BBC report places him at the heart of the drama’s publicity, while The Guardian’s review praises the production’s casting overall. Together, those details have positioned The Party as both a literary adaptation and a star-led ITVX thriller.
His role in the story has not been detailed in the supplied headlines, so the central focus here is the production itself: Evans’ enthusiasm for the shoot, the adaptation of Day’s book and the response from major British reviewers.
Is The Party worth watching?
The early critical response is strongly positive. The Guardian called The Party “enormous fun” and praised its pace and casting. The Telegraph also described it as a “juicy psychological thriller,” while highlighting its political and social setting.
That makes the series a promising choice for viewers who want a thriller that moves quickly but still has something to say about status and power. It also gives the adaptation a useful balance: the story can be approached as a tense drama, a satirical look at political circles or simply an entertaining piece of television.
The Party is available through ITVX, according to the Guardian’s listing, and its combination of Luke Evans, Elizabeth Day’s source material and sharply divided social terrain has given it a strong launch in the British TV conversation.