Revealed, BBC’s cast for new Les Mis (with no singing)
THE BBC has revealed a star-studded cast for its adaptation of Les Miserables, including Dominic West, Lily Collins and Olivia Colman.
However, anyone hoping to hear the stars’ singing voices will be disappointed, as the six- part series will be strictly non-musical
The Corporation has also broken new ground by casting a black actor, Selma star David Oyelowo, as Javert – a part played by Russell Crowe and Geoffrey Rush in recent film versions.
It is thought to be the first time a major screen version of Victor Hugo’s classic nineteenth-century novel will not have a white actor in the role.
Golden Globes nominee Oyelowo, 41, will portray the police inspector’s ‘catandrelationship with ex-convict Jean Valjean, played by West, 48.
Broadchurch star Miss Colman, 43 – whose schedule will soon be dominated by filming for series three of The Crown, in which she will play the Queen – will also join the cast as Madame Thénardier, a role previously played by Helena Bonham Carter.
Meanwhile, 28- year- old Miss Collins, daughter of singer Phil Collins, has secured what is arguably her biggest role to date as Fantine, a part which won Anne Hathaway an Oscar in 2013.
The 2012 film, directed by Tom Hooper, picked up 81 awards, including a Golden Globe for best actor for Hugh Jackman, who played Jean Valjean.
The BBC’s version is the work of award- winning screenwriter Andrew Davies, known for his 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and War and Peace in 2016.
Photos taken from the first read-through give a glimpse of what Miss Collins, West and Oyelowo will look like together.
West said: ‘Jean Valjean is one of the great characters in world literature. 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.’ Oyelowo added: ‘To play an iconic role like Javert is any actor’s dream, but to play it as written by Andrew Davies goes beyond my wildest dreams.’
Black actors have previously been cast in the role of Javert on stage, with Norm Lewis becoming the first African American to be cast in a professional English production in 2006. EastEnders actor Cornell John has also taken on the part.
The cast are expected to film in Belgium and northern France from later this month, with the series expected to air early next year.