BBC takes Les Miserables back to its roots, with diverse casting
IT IS cemented in the minds of a generation as an all-singing, all-dancing tale of bread theft, love and revolution.
But the BBC is to take Les Misérables back to the “vibrant” story of Victor Hugo’s original novel, complete with diverse casting.
The cast of the forthcoming Andrew Davies adaptation, telling the story of “the struggles of France’s underclass” will be led by Dominic West as Jean Valjean, and David Oyelowo as Javert, the obsessed, villainous policeman.
Oyelowo, best-known for his star turns in Selma and the BBC’S Spooks, said playing the “iconic” role “goes beyond my wildest dreams”.
The cast also includes Lily Collins as Fantine, Adeel Akhtar and Olivia Colman as Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, the immoral innkeepers, and Erin Kellyman as Éponine.
The casting, striking in its diversity in comparison with numerous Les Misérables productions featuring white stars in the leading roles, follows the BBC’S commitment to ensuring more black and minority ethnic actors are seen on screen with 15 per cent representation by 2020.
Davies, the writer behind BBC adaptations of War and Peace and the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, has previously railed against musical versions of Les Misérables, calling it a “shoddy farrago”.
This version, the BBC said, would “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.”
Davies said: “This is such an intense and gut-wrenching story and I am delighted that this esteemed ensemble of actors will be bringing it to life – led by Dominic West and David Oyelowo in the iconic roles of Jean Valjean and his nemesis, Javert.
“In Valjean, we see the terrifying anger and resentment against society but also the tenderness that is hidden deep in his complex psyche. And in Javert, the ferocious dedication to duty that takes him from obsession to madness.”
The series, which will be told in six episodes of one hour each, will begin filming in February in Belgium and northern France.