Les Miserables start date, cast, trailer and filming locations

The BBC adaptation of Les Miserables is nearly with us, with much anticipation over the six-part series.

Starring Dominic West and David Oyelowo, the TV series is based on Victor Hugos novel of the same name.

If fans were expecting to see West and Oyelowo put on an all-singing, all-dancing show though, theyll be disappointed, as this adaptation doesnt have any songs in it.

Heres everything you need to know about this months most exciting debut…

When does Les Miserables the TV series start?

Les Miserables kicks off on Sunday 30 December on BBC One at 9pm.

What is it all about?

Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean who breaks his parole after being freed from prison, and Javert, the no-nonsense prison officer on his tail.

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Entwined in their stories are the tales of Cosette, Marius and Eponine

Whos in the cast?

Dominic West – Jean Valjean

David Oyelowo – Inspector Javert

Lily Collins – Fantine

Ellie Bamber – Cosette

Josh OConnor – Marius Pontmercy

Erin Kellyman – Éponine Thénardier

Adeel Akhtar – Monsieur Thénardier

Olivia Colman – Madame Thénardier

Reece Yates … Gavroche Thénardier

Joseph Quinn … Enjolras

Why a TV series?

Andrew Davies, the man who penned the new adaptation of Les Miserables, wants to bring the story back to the original novel by Victor Hugo.

Nowadays if you say Les Miserables to someone their minds go straight to the West End musical and all the classic songs including At The End Of The Day, One Day More and Stars.

In 2012 it was turned into a film starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

Andrew Davies has adapted Hugos novel this time around, and feels he is saving Hugos story from the much loved musical.

He told The Telegraph that his version of the story will rescue Victor Hugos novel from the clutches of that awful musical with its doggerel lyrics.

Erm, disagree much?

Davies also feels that Javerts obsession with Valjean represents a kind of peverse, erotic love and revealed that Marius will have a wet dream about Eponine and feels rather guilty about it.

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I think it fits into the psychology of the book, he added.

Where was it filmed?

Filming took place across Belgium and Northern France as the production recreated the battles of the French Revolution that saw the underdogs rise up and fight against the system.

What have the stars of the series said?

Star West spoke about the production where he praised Davies.

In a statement he 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, and I cant wait to get stuck in to bringing Andrews brilliant adaptation to the screen.

Oyelowo added: To play an iconic role like Javert is any actors dream, but to play it as written by Andrew Davies goes beyond my wildest dreams.

What does Metro.co.uks review say?

Metro.co.uks TV writer Cydney Yeates gave Les Miserables four stars in her review. Read an excerpt below:

Its clear that the BBC are attempting to appeal to the masses. Theres diversity in the casting and a welcomed array of a multitude of accents and dialects. Hats off to the telly execs for this, because theyve made an adaption that is accessible to those whove never once set eyes on the musical or read the novel. What Les Mis does so well is tell a complicated story, without the airs and graces many of its predecessors used.

Read the full review here: BBC adaptation starring Lily Collins is worlds away from Anne Hathaways musical.

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Les Miserables starts on 30 December at 9pm on BBC One.

MORE: Les Misérables author Victor Hugo based two characters on the same real-life historical figure

MORE: Les Miserables writer says he is saving the novel from the awful musical with new BBC adaptation

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