ITV’s gripping new drama The Party has captured audiences with its tense storyline exploring wealth, class divisions, and long-buried secrets. Adapted from Elizabeth Day’s 2017 bestselling novel, the five-part series stars Welsh actors Luke Evans as journalist Martin Gilmour and Tom Cullen as wealthy politician Ben Fitzmaurice. Although the narrative takes viewers through fictionalized locations like Oxford and the Cotswolds, the production relied heavily on authentic settings across south Wales to bring the thriller to life.
Filming for the series took place across Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea, and surrounding areas. By anchoring the production in Wales, the creative team leaned into the personal backgrounds of its leading cast members while finding visually striking spaces to represent elite British institutions and sprawling country estates.
Transforming South Wales Into Denby Hall
One of the most visually dominant elements in The Party is Denby Hall, the lavish country estate belonging to Ben and Serena Fitzmaurice. To create this sprawling fictional property, the production team utilized a combination of historic properties across south Wales.
Llanharan House, a historic Georgian country house situated in Rhondda Cynon Taf, provided the grand exterior shots and several party rooms. Dating back to before 1750 and originally built for lawyer Rees Powell, the property offered the exact historic weight required for the Fitzmaurice family seat. Meanwhile, Merthyr Mawr House near Bridgend-a Grade II-listed country house built between 1806 and 1809 for Sir John Nicholl-was used for interior scenes, including the bedrooms.
To complete the sprawling estate settings, Cardiff’s Temple of Peace was selected for the estate’s chapel scenes, while Dragon Studios in Bridgend hosted the construction of a massive party tent in a controlled environment.
Police Stations and Academic Stand-Ins
The series also uses Welsh municipal architecture to represent institutional settings. Swansea’s iconic Guildhall, designed by architect Percy Thomas and opened in 1934, doubles as Denby Police Station, where Martin Gilmour faces intense questioning following the events at the birthday celebration.
The Guildhall also pulls double-duty as a stand-in for Oxford University scenes, appearing alongside Cardiff University’s Main Campus, Glamorgan Building, and University Hall. For younger flashbacks of the characters’ school days, Howells School in Llandaff, Cardiff, stood in for Burtonbury School, while Margam Discovery Centre in Port Talbot provided the dormitory backdrops. Rugby sequences were filmed nearby at Llandaff Rugby Club.
Local Connections and Reception
For lead actor Luke Evans, filming close to his home region added comfort to the intense production schedule. Speaking to the BBC, Evans noted that filming locations were often just minutes away from his family roots in the Rhymney Valley, allowing him to enjoy downtime with family during the winter shoot.
With its blend of high-stakes psychological drama and striking Welsh backdrops, The Party streams on ITVX, offering viewers a masterclass in how regional architecture can successfully represent the complex power dynamics of British society.
Key Locations Used in The Party
- Llanharan House (Rhondda Cynon Taf): Exterior and party room stand-in for Denby Hall.
- Merthyr Mawr House (Bridgend): Interior and bedroom settings for Denby Hall.
- Swansea Guildhall: Utilized for Denby Police Station and Oxford University scenes.
- Temple of Peace (Cardiff): Chapel scenes for the estate.
- Howells School (Cardiff): Burtonbury School exterior and classrooms.
- Margam Discovery Centre (Port Talbot): School dormitory scenes.
