The ITV drama The Party premiered recently, presenting audiences with a tale of friendship, wealth and hidden truths spanning decades.
Welsh performer Luke Evans takes the role of Martin Gilmour while Tom Cullen portrays Ben Fitzmaurice in this series set against a luxurious celebration and subsequent criminal inquiry.
Numerous filming locations throughout south Wales provided the backdrop for scenes set in Oxford and other fictional settings.
The production recreated Burtonbury School and Oxford University using several Welsh venues.
Howells School in Llandaff served as the external views and educational environments for the fictional institution, with Margam Discovery Centre in Port Talbot standing in for dormitory spaces.
Rugby activities were captured at Llandaff Rugby Club.
Oxford sequences incorporated Cardiff University’s Glamorgan Building and Main Campus alongside University Hall, in addition to Swansea’s Guildhall.
Some filming also occurred at Exeter College in the actual university city.
Swansea’s Guildhall on Guildhall Road, near the waterfront and Victoria Park, appeared in the series as Denby Police Station where Martin undergoes questioning following occurrences at Ben’s birthday gathering.
Designed by architect Percy Thomas and inaugurated in 1934, the structure features Portland stone cladding and a notable clock tower.
The building accommodates council administrative functions and Brangwyn Hall, a sizeable performance and function space.
Its dignified architecture and official rooms served effectively for scenes depicting institutional settings.
The Guildhall additionally represented portions of Oxford University in sequences depicting the characters’ adult lives.
Heath Park West in Cardiff provided additional filming for sequences linked to the fictional police station, with Welsh language audible from officers at the front desk to establish the fictional town’s local character.
Denby Hall, the distinguished family residence belonging to Ben and Serena Fitzmaurice, was constructed through multiple south Wales properties.
Llanharan House supplied the exterior shots and certain celebration spaces, with Merthyr Mawr House near Bridgend providing additional interior locations such as bedrooms.
Llanharan House represents a historic Georgian residence in Rhondda Cynon Taf dating from before 1750, originally constructed for lawyer Rees Powell and situated within parkland near the village.
Merthyr Mawr House is a Grade II-protected country estate erected between 1806 and 1809 for Sir John Nicholl, now in private ownership.
The Temple of Peace in Cardiff served as the chapel interior, while the expansive celebration marquee was erected at Dragon Studios in Bridgend.
The Heronston Hotel & Leisure Club in Bridgend portrayed Denby B&B where Martin and his spouse Lucy stay, offering accommodation that contrasts sharply with the opulent setting of Denby Hall and reflects the characters’ differing circumstances.
The venue’s proximity to Dragon Studios, approximately a quarter hour’s drive away, proved advantageous for production logistics.
Evans discussed filming near his childhood home during a BBC appearance, noting the convenience of working locations merely 25 minutes from his residence.
His parents Yvonne and David Evans continue residing in the same terrace property in Aberbargoed within the Rhymney Valley where he grew up.
He described enjoying weekend dinners, dog walks and an extended winter period of rainy Welsh weather during filming, characterising the experience as thoroughly pleasurable.
Several relatives secured minor appearances in the concluding episode, with Evans confirming his cousin alongside his wife and children feature in the final installment.