The BBC doesn’t only have The War Of The Worlds up its voluminous sleeve for this winter’s big-budget period viewing, there’s also a star-stuffed new adaptation of Les Miserables.
Period drama maestro Andrew Davies, who’s adapted everyone from Dickens to Austen to Thackeray to Gaskell, and a fair few writers who are still walking around drinking lattes to this day, has written the six-part series. It’s an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel rather than the famous stage musical, so don’t expect a lot of jazz hands and rat-a-tatting with this one.
Les Miserables is the story, if you’re unfamiliar, of protagonist Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, and antagonist Javert, the officer set on returning him to prison, all set against the backdrop of a France in political turmoil. According to the official press bumf, the series will explore the themes of Hugo’s novel “with striking intensity and contemporary resonance.”
“The six part television adaptation of the renowned book will vividly and faithfully bring to life the vibrant and engaging characters, the spectacular and authentic imagery and, above all, the incredible yet accessible story that was Hugo’s lifework.”
Set to appear are Dominic West, David Oyelowo, Lily Collins, Adeel Akhtar, Olivia Colman and many more. Tom Shankland, whose work was most recently seen in another ambitious literary adaptation by the BBC, The City And The City, has directed all six episodes.
Take a look at the most recently released official images in the gallery above. Les Miserables is coming soon to BBC One.
