The BBC and Weinstein TV announced that BAFTA-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies (War and Peace) has signed on to adapt Victor Hugo’s classic novel Les Miserables as a six-part drama.
“Most of us are familiar with the musical version which only offers a fragmentary outline of its story,” states Davis. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity of doing real justice to Victor Hugo at last by adapting his masterpiece in a six hour version for the BBC, with the same team who made War and Peace.”
“Andrew Davies’ extraordinary skill for adaptation will bring the world famous Les Misérables into powerful focus for a modern audience with a multi-layered re-telling of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece”, adds Charlotte Moore, director of content at the BBC. “BBC One viewers can expect the same quality and scale from the team behind War and Peace in this epic tale of redemption and the healing power of love.”
There have been numerous adaptations of Les Miserables over the years, including the 1998 film featuring Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush, a 2000 miniseries with Gerard Depardieu and John Malkovich, and most recently the 2012 movie starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.