Elizabeth Day hails first TV adaptation as ‘almost a decade in the making’
Elizabeth Day’s debut novel has finally been adapted for television, with a five‑part ITV series starring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen. The author, who wrote the book in 2017, describes the process as almost a decade in the making and expresses deep emotions seeing her characters come to life. The dra…
Elizabeth Day’s first novel has finally been brought to the screen. The five‑part ITV drama, titled The Party, will follow the fallout from a lavish birthday bash that turns into a police investigation. The series stars Luke Evans as Martin Gilmour, a journalist whose lifelong friendship with wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice (Tom Cullen) is tested when the party goes awry.
From Page to Screen: A Decade‑Long Journey
Day first published the thriller in 2017, and the idea of seeing her story adapted for television lingered for years. She described the moment her agent sent the email that Luke Evans had read her book as a surreal turning point: “I could not believe it.” Evans, who also serves as an executive producer, read the novel and was immediately drawn to the characters. The author says she didn’t truly believe the adaptation would happen until she sat at the table and read the script in front of her.
When the production team finally brought the script to life, Day said she felt “absolute shivers” watching scenes that had previously existed only in her imagination. The book’s publication a decade ago and the long road to production make the moment feel almost miraculous. She added that the experience of seeing her characters perform on screen is “an immense privilege.”
Plot and Themes: Identity, Belonging, Self‑Acceptance
The drama is set in contemporary London and alternates between the chaotic events of Ben’s birthday party and the subsequent police investigation. Flashbacks provide context, revealing Martin and Ben’s shared history from school to university and their early days in the city’s social scene. The series examines how Martin, a journalist and podcast host, struggles to fit into Ben’s upper‑class world, often suppressing aspects of himself to do so.
Day has framed the narrative as a story about identity, belonging and self‑acceptance. She emphasizes that a successful life is authentic, one where people can drop masks and performances. The show’s underlying message, she says, is that true belonging means being accepted for who you really are, rather than changing yourself to fit in.
Cast and Creative Team
Beyond Evans and Cullen, the series boasts an impressive roster of talent. Award‑winning showrunner Sarah Solemani created the show for ITV and also plays Martin’s pregnant wife, Lucy. Other notable cast members include Olivier winner Lindsay Duncan, Tony Award‑winner Douglas Hodge, Joanna Scanlan of Riot Women, and Lydia Leonard of A Woman Of Substance. Day herself appears as an extra during one of the party scenes, a moment she describes as “an immense privilege.”
The production team’s collaborative spirit is evident. Day credits the “city of incredibly talented and dedicated people” for bringing her novel to a new, brilliant creative iteration. She expresses delight at seeing her work reach fruition after years of anticipation.
Release and Availability
ITV has scheduled the series to air on ITV1, STV and ITVX later this year. While the official release date has not yet been announced, the network’s multi‑platform approach will allow viewers to watch the five‑part series on both broadcast and streaming services. Fans of the novel and new viewers alike can expect a gripping drama that blends suspense with character‑driven storytelling.
Elizabeth Day’s journey from author to on‑screen presence underscores the transformative power of storytelling. Her experience highlights how a novel can evolve over time, eventually finding a new medium that reaches wider audiences and offers fresh perspectives on familiar themes.
What’s Next?
As the release date approaches, anticipation builds among readers and television audiences. The series promises to deliver the same tension and depth that made the book a bestseller, while adding visual and performative layers that only television can provide. Viewers can look forward to a nuanced exploration of friendship, ambition, and the cost of living a life that feels authentic.
For Elizabeth Day, the adaptation marks a significant milestone. It validates her creative vision and opens doors for future projects, potentially expanding her reach beyond the literary world into mainstream media.
Why it matters
The adaptation of a contemporary thriller into a televised drama showcases how literary works can transition across media, offering new storytelling possibilities and reaching broader audiences. It also highlights the personal journey of an author seeing her characters come alive on screen.
Key points
- Elizabeth Day’s novel has been adapted into a five‑part ITV series starring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen.
- The adaptation process took almost a decade, with Day expressing deep emotions upon seeing her book acted out.
- The drama explores identity, belonging and self‑acceptance through a post‑party police investigation.
- An impressive cast and award‑winning showrunner bring the story to life on screen.
- The series will air on ITV1, STV and ITVX later this year, though the exact release date is pending.
Frequently asked questions
When will The Party be released on television?
The series is scheduled to air on ITV1, STV and ITVX later this year, but the official release date has not yet been announced.
Who stars in the adaptation of Elizabeth Day’s novel?
Luke Evans plays journalist Martin Gilmour, and Tom Cullen portrays wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice. The show also features Sarah Solemani, Lindsay Duncan, Douglas Hodge, Joanna Scanlan and Lydia Leonard.
What themes does the series explore?
The drama focuses on identity, belonging and self‑acceptance, following the fallout of a lavish birthday party and a subsequent police investigation.
Did Elizabeth Day have any role in the production?
Yes, she appears as an extra during one of the party scenes and has been involved in the adaptation process as the original author.
