Pontypool-born actor Luke Evans survived Hollywood by listening to actors he admired

Actor Luke Evans said he has survived Hollywood by "watching and listening" to actors he admired.

Pontypool-born Evans made the observation while discussing his similarities and "emotional connection" to his character in a new ITV drama, The Party.

It will see Evans star as Martin Gilmour, a journalist shaped by his lifelong friendship with a wealthy and charismatic politician played by Aberystwyth-born Tom Cullen.

The thriller moves between the birthday party of Cullen's character, Ben Fitzmaurice, and a police investigation that follows.

Evans, who is also an executive producer of the five-part series, said he drew on his own experiences to play the character.

"I think that's probably why I resonated with the story when I read the book," Evans said of the novel the series, which is based the book written by Elizabeth Day.

"Watching and listening is how I've managed to survive this industry.

"If I'm on a film set, I'm always watching other actors or older actors that I've been admiring for years," he added.

Evans said this trait of watching others was something he shared with Gilmour, who he said he connected with on a "very deep level".

"It's not always possible when you play a role that you can pull on your own personal life or experiences.

"In this role I definitely could, even when Martin chooses completely different life choices to ones I would make in his position," he said.

Evans described the programme as a "gripping exploration of loyalty, class and the truths we hide", describing Gilmour as a "very complex, deep, fascinating and tragic character".

"Every time I looked at him on the page, I discovered something more. He's not somebody that broadcasts his feelings. He's suppressed them for such a long time."

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