‘Les Misérables’: David Oyelowo, Lily Collins, Dominic West for TV series
THE BBC has put together an enviable cast for its TV series adaptation of “Les Misérables,” the classic French novel that recently saw a big-screen interpretation pick up three Academy Awards.
A new BBC production of “Les Misérables” means Dominic West, David Oyelowo, and Lily Collins leading six one-hour episodes.
The 1862 novel written by French author Victor Hugo tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex- convict who stole bread to feed his sister’s children, and his entanglements with police inspector Javert and destitute factory worker Fantine.
Dominic West of “The Wire,” “The Affair” and “The Square” is to play Valjean, with Oyelowo (“Selma”) as pursuing detective Javert and Lily Collins (“Mirror Mirror”) as Fantine.
Also on board are Olivia Colman (“Broadchurch”) and Adeel Akhtar (“The Big Sick”) as the adoptive parents of Cosette ( Ellie Bamber, “Nocturnal Animals”), Fantine’s daughter.
The series is to be directed by Tom Shankland, who’s shot episodes of “The Punisher,” “Iron Fist,” “Luke Cage” and “House of Cards” for Netflix, “The Leftovers” for HBO, and “The Missing,” “The Fades,” “Ripper Street” and 2018’s upcoming “The City and the City” for the BBC.
And the script appears to be in good hands too, with Andrew Davies known for everything from “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and its sequel to “Bleak House,” “House of Cards” and “War & Peace.”
Victor Hugo’s novel and the resulting stage musical have been the subject of numerous cinematic adaptations, the most recent of which arrived in 2012.
The lavish production was nominated in eight categories at the Academy Awards, including those for Best Production, Best Costume Design and overall Best Picture. Hugh Jackman was in the running for Best Actor, while Anne Hathaway won Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Fantine.
Filming on the BBC’s “Les Misérables” is to start in February. — Relaxnews