Tom Cullen plays the sexually ambiguous Tory MP Ben Fitzmaurice in The Party, but in real life he’s madly in love with his actress partner.
The Welsh actor returns to our screens in the ITV thriller, based on the Elizabeth Day book of the same name. And it’s a role that is bound to raise eyebrows (and perhaps other body parts).
Tom’s character Ben is handsome, wealthy, ambitious, and flirtatious. So it’s no wonder his best friend Martin is in love with him, and would do anything for him… Anything.
While Ben and Martin have an affair, of sorts, both are also married. Yes, it’s complicated… Which is a far cry from Tom’s real life relationship with his film star partner.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Party’s Tom Cullen, including his TV and film career, identity of his partner, and very famous ex.
Tom Cullen plays Tory MP Ben Fitzmaurice in the cast of The Party (Credit: ITV)
Who plays Tory MP Ben Fitzmaurice in The Party?
Actor Tom Cullen portrays the seductive Ben Fitzmaurice in the cast of The Party on ITV. An ambitious Conservative MP, he declares his intention to run for leadership during an eventful 40th birthday party. The surprise announcement throws a cat amongst the pigeons, and begins a chain of events that end with someone fighting for their life…
The Party revolves around lifelong friends Martin and Ben, who are forced to confront their entangled pasts at the eventful birthday.
Having met at an elite boarding school, they quickly shared an unbreakable bond. And a not entirely healthy one. When Ben’s leadership bid begins to attract a lot of attention, the lives of both men are threatened as the “secrets of their past” ultimately derails their lives.
What is Tom Cullen most famous for?
Having played supporting roles on Black Mirror (see series 1 episode The Entire History of You) and The Pillars of the Earth sequel World Without End, the rising star really found his footing on the iconic period drama Downton Abbey.
In 2013, Tom joined the cast as Viscount Anthony Gillingham, a rather dashing love interest for Lady Mary Crawley in the wake of her husband’s death. Anthony appeared in 12 episodes in all and eventually tied the knot with Mabel Lane Fox. He may have married one woman in the show, but actor Tom gained thousands of fans.
Other big titles on Tom’s CV include the period drama Knightfall, Harlan Coben’s The Five, Gunpowder, and Channel 4’s Becoming Elizabeth.
More recently, Tom portrayed lowborn Ser Luthor Largent, Commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing, in House of the Dragon. He also broke our hearts in two playing Michael Agnew in the love story Trespasses, set against The Troubles in Ireland.
He also popped up as Peter Burton in Mudtown, and John Palmer in The Gold.
Michael Agnew and Cushla Laverty were secret lovers in Trespasses (Credit: Channel 4)
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