Les Miserables is coming to the BBC

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is getting the BBC dramatisation make over.

The six-part drama is taking us back to Victor Hugo’s original novel and exploring the themes of revolution, love, and survival. Filming for the cast and crew began in Belgium and Northern France earlier this year. Casting looks particularly exciting with Dominic West as Jean Valjean, and David Oyelowo the villainous policeman Javert. Lily Collins will play Fantine, the orphaned single mother, with Ellie Bamber as daughter Cosette. Olivia Colman and Adeel Akhtar are set to star as Madame Thénardier and Monsieur Thénardier along with Josh O’Connor and Erin Kellyman as Marius and Éponine respectively.

A spokesperson for the BBC has said:

“Multi award-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies will go back to the original novel and delve deep into the many layers of Hugo’s story, revelling in Jean Valjean and Javert’s cat-and-mouse relationship, against the epic backdrop of France at a time of civil unrest. With a striking intensity and relevance to us today, the novel is testimony to the struggles of France’s underclass and how far they must go to survive. 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.”

Keep an eye out at For Reading Addicts for news of the series’ air date in 2019.