confirm

Luke Evans and Tom Cullen’s ITV drama The Party is set to be replaced in the televisions schedule with a new “scandalous” and “provocative” drama starring Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai

ITV’s gripping drama starring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen ends this evening.

The Party is a five-part series based on the acclaimed novel by Elizabeth Day, starring Evans as Martin Gilmour, a journalist shaped by his lifelong friendship with the wealthy and charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by Cullen.

Raised alone by his working-class mum, Sylvia Gilmour, played by BAFTA award-winning Joanna Scanlan, Martin wins a scholarship to an elite boarding school, where he first meets Ben. They forge an unbreakable bond, as Ben and the Fitzmaurice’s give Martin the sense of belonging he has always craved.

In turn, Martin remains unflinchingly loyal to Ben through even the greatest crises. Three decades on, Martin is invited to Ben’s lavish birthday party at the Fitzmaurice’s country pile. The news of the Conservative leader’s resignation threatens to derail Ben’s party as he considers announcing his intention to stand.

Martin fears the publicity that Ben’s bid would bring, dredging up the secrets of their past with tragic consequences. The drama moves between the shocking events of the party and the police investigation that follows, with flashbacks to Martin and Ben’s lives at school, university and London party days.

What unfolds is a gripping exploration of identity, privilege and devotion, combined with a tender ode to anyone who has fought to live authentically.

The synopsis for the fifth and final episode which airs tonight (Monday, October 19) reads: “Martin confronts Ben with a gun in his hand. Years of pain andanger spill out. But Ben grabs the gun and reveals the depths of his own despair. A gunshot rings out.

Serena discovers Martin covered in Ben’s blood and tells the police she saw Martin with the gun. Martin once again finds himself in custody. With the evidence mounting against Martin,Ben fights for his life in hospital.

In the chaos of the party aftermath at Denby Hall, Jarvis’s stash of cocaine is found by the police and he is arrested. Only Ben can save Martin, but will he recover? And will he tell the truth?”

It yet to be confirmed f The Party will return for a second series but cast member Lydia Leonard, who plays Serena Fitzmaurice, has hinted that it could be on the cards.

When asked how viewers will react to watching the series, she previously told ITV: “I hope it will have people saying to their friends, ‘Have you seen this amazing drama?’.

**Ensure our latest TV stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings**

“I think it’s gripping and suspenseful and surprising. I hope it will leave audiences wanting to know what happens to these characters next. I mean, Elizabeth has written a sequel that is just waiting to be adapted for television.”

The Party will be replaced in the schedule with a new “scandalous” and “provocative” drama titled Adultery starring Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai as Tom Kirkman and Beth Brookes, who meet after a chance encounter and get involved in a heady affair that risks tearing apart both of their families.

Episode one will air this Sunday (October 25) at 9pm and the second instalment with follow on Monday (October 26) at 9pm.

The full series of The Party is available to watch on ITVX