It seems that we're due for yet another adaptation of Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," but the upcoming BBC One/Masterpiece co-production has already captured my interest with some wonderful casting. David Oyelowo (SELMA) will play Javet while Dominic West (TOMB RAIDER) will play Jean Valjean. Not bad at all.
The six-part drama series will also star Lily Collins (OKJA) as Fantine, Adeel Akhtar (The Night Manager) and Olivia Colman (The Crown) as Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, Ellie Bamber (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES) as Cosette, Josh O’Connor (Ripper Street) as Marius, and Erin Kellyman (Raised By Wolves) as Éponine. Dominic West spoke of the role of Jean Valjean, calling him "one of the greatest characters in world literature," before adding that "His epic journey of redemption is one of the extraordinary roles an actor can take on and I can't wait to get stuck in to bringing Andrew's brilliant adaptation to the screen." Unlike the 2012 Tom Hooper film starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, screenwriter Andrew Davies (House of Cards) will be drawing from the original novel rather than the musical. Production on the Tom Shankland (The Punisher) directed series, which was originally set to be made in association with The Weinstein Co. before the sexual assault allegations came to light, is expected to begin shooting in February.
Which adaptation of Les Misérables is your favourite?