The BBC has announced that its six-part flagship version of Les Mis?rables will go on air from December 30.
The cast bringing Victor Hugo?s dramatic novel of struggle to life will be led by Dominic West as the convict Jean Valjean trying to escape his past, with David Oyelowo as the policeman Javert obsessed with bringing him to justice.
Lily Collins will play Fantine, the young orphaned single mother and her daughter Cosette will be played by Ellie Bamber with Olivia Colman starring as abusive Madame Th?nardier and Erin Kellyman portraying ?ponine.
The new adaptation takes its roots and inspiration directly from Hugo?s novel written on the island of Guernsey during his fifteen-year exile there from France.
Banished to Guernsey in 1856, Hugo moved to beautiful Hauteville House perched high in the capital of St Peter Port from where he could gaze over France on a clear day.
The island proved to be an inspiration for Hugo with much of his most renowned work created in Guernsey during his years there. In addition to Les Mis?rables, Hugo wrote Toilers of the Sea, The Man Who Laughs and The Legend of the Ages all whilst a Guernsey resident.
The Hauteville House, which is one of Guernsey?s most popular tourist attractions, is widely regarded as a piece of work in itself. The house has been closed throughout 2018 for extensive refurbishment work made possible by a three-million-euro patronage programme from The Pinault Collection. The renovations will not only return Hugo?s house to its former glory, but also modernise public facilities, improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience
The re-opening is scheduled for April.
