First trailer lands for BBC One’s Les Miserables
David Farnor | On 04, Dec 2018
“Paris is a tinderbox. It’ll only take a spark to set it off.” That’s the sound of the BBC going back to gritty basics with its new take on Les Miserables – and the show’s first trailer sets the tone for an emotional, sweeping epic.
Written by Andrew Davies, the six-part adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 19th century classic will delve into the many layers of Hugo’s story, revelling in Jean Valjean and Javert’s cat-and-mouse relationship, against the backdrop of France at a time of civil unrest. With striking intensity and contemporary resonance, Hugo’s novel explores the struggles and triumphs of the underclass and the quest for a better life.
The idea of Les Miserables without the music is a strange one, but the trailer gives a promising indicator of the quality to expect, not least because of its stellar ensemble cast, which includes Dominic West (Jean Valjean), David Oyelowo (Javert) and Lily Collins (Fantine), as well as Olivia Colman (Madame Thénardier), Adeel Akhtar (Monsieur Thénardier), Josh O’Connor (Marius) and Ellie Bamber (Cosette).
The drama will air on BBC One over Christmas. Here’s the trailer:
New images land for BBC One’s Les Miserables
16th October 2018
BBC One’s upcoming Les Miserables is drawing nearer, and new images give us a better look at the series’ impressive ensemble cast.
Following the initial images of Dominic West (Jean Valjean), David Oyelowo (Javert) and Lily Collins (Fantine) back in July, BBC One has released images of Olivia Colman (Madame Thénardier), Adeel Akhtar (Monsieur Thénardier), Josh O’Connor (Marius) and Ellie Bamber (Cosette).
Andrew Davies’ six-part drama adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 19th century classic will 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. With striking intensity and contemporary resonance, Hugo’s novel explores the struggles and triumphs of the underclass and the quest for a better life.
The six-part take on the renowned book will faithfully bring to life the vibrant and engaging characters, the authentic imagery and, above all, the incredible yet accessible story that was Hugo’s lifework.
Les Misérables is a Lookout Point/BBC Studios production for BBC One, co-produced with Masterpiece. Executive Producers will be Andrew Davies, Faith Penhale for Lookout Point, Bethan Jones for BBC Studios, Mona Qureshi for BBC One, Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece, Dominic West and David Oyelowo. The series will be produced by Chris Carey and directed by Tom Shankland. The drama was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. Delegate producer for Czar Film and TV is Eurydice Gysel. It will be globally distributed outside the US by BBC Studios. Filming took place in Belgium and Northern France.
First look: Dominic West, Lily Collins and David Oyelowo in BBC One’s Les Mis
16th July 2018
BBC One is bringing a new take on Les Miserables to our screens, and has amassed an impressive cast to do it, including Dominic West, Lily Collins and David Oyelowo. Now, we’ve got our first look at the trio in action.
Andrew Davies’ adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 19th century classic will delve deep into the many layers of the story, revelling in Jean Valjean and Javert’s cat-and-mouse relationship, against the epic backdrop of France at a time of civil unrest.
The six part drama promises to vividly and faithfully bring to life the vibrant and engaging characters, the spectacular and authentic imagery and, above all, the incredible yet accessible story that was Hugo’s lifework.
Dominic West (The Affair, Tomb Raider, Appropriate Adult) stars as Jean Valjean, David Oyelowo (Selma, Gringo, Spooks) as Javert and Lily Collins (Rules Don’t Apply, Tolkien, Love, Rosie) as Fantine.
The distinguished British cast also includes Adeel Akhtar (The Night Manager, Murdered By My Father, Utopia) and Olivia Colman (Murder On The Orient Express, The Night Manager, Broadchurch) as Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, The Nutcracker And The Four Realms) as Cosette, Josh O’Connor (The Durrells, God’s Own Country, Ripper Street) as Marius and Erin Kellyman (Raised By Wolves, Uncle, The Coopers Vs The Rest) as Éponine.
The series is a Lookout Point/BBC Studios production for BBC One, co-produced with Masterpiece. Executive Producers will be Andrew Davies, Faith Penhale for Lookout Point, Bethan Jones for BBC Studios, Mona Qureshi for BBC One, Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece, Dominic West and David Oyelowo. The series will be produced by Chris Carey and directed by Tom Shankland.
Filming took place in Belgium and Northern France, with a broadcast date set for next year. Here’s the trio of images featuring the cast on set: