David Oyelowo has joined the cast of the upcoming Les Misérables miniseries adaptation for BBC. It is a co-production from BBC Studios and Lookout Point for BBC and Masterpiece
Oyelowo, who will play Javert, joins Lily Collins as Fantine, Dominic West as Jean Valjean, Adeel Akhtar as Monsieur and Olivia Colman as Madame Thénardier.
Production begins in February in Belgium and Northern France.
It is written by Andrew Davies, who is scripting this adaptation based on Victor Hugo’s classic book, as opposed to the musical. The book centers on Jean Valjean, a convict who is trying to escape his past as he is tracked for years by Inspector Javert (Oyelowo).
The miniseries will have six episodes/parts.
West and Oyelowo are among its executive producers.
Harvey Weinstein’s Weinstein Co. was an initial producer for the project, but BBC dropped the company from the miniseries in the aftermath of his sexual assault allegations and controversy.
The most recent adaptation of Les Misérables was the 2012 movie starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.