Star-studded cast of BBC Les Mis drama revealed
DOMINIC West, David Oyelowo and Lily Collins are to star in a new BBC adaptation of Les Miserables, adapted by Welshman Andrew Davies.
The six-part TV drama, which will be penned by Pride and Prejudice and War and Peace screenwriter Davies, from Cardiff, will also star The Night Manager’s Olivia Colman and Adeel Akhtar, as well as Ellie Bamber and Bafta Rising Star nominee Josh O’Connor.
West will play Jean Valjean, while Oyelowo will play Javert and Collins will take on the role of Fantine, the part that bagged Anne Hathaway an Oscar in the 2012 big screen version.
West, best known for his roles in The Wire and The Affair, 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.”
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.” Collins said: “I’m so thrilled to be playing Fantine. She is a legendary character whose tragic story feels as relevant to tell today as when Les Miserables was first published.
“Andrew’s wonderful dramatisation opens up the character in fresh ways that I’ve never seen before in previous adaptations.”
Davies, pictured above, added: “This is such an intense and gutwrenching story and I am delighted that this esteemed ensemble of actors will be bringing it to life
Filming will begin in February in Belgium and northern France.