A TV adaptation of ‘Les Miserables’ is to air on the BBC.
The six-part drama series will be based on Victor Hugo’s famous 1862 historical novel – which tells the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean’s struggles and attempt at redemption – and co-produced by Hollywood film executive Harvey Weinstein’s TV company, BBC Studios and Lookout Point.
Harvey said in a statement: "Victor Hugo’s ‘Les Misérables’ is one of the greatest novels of all time – and while the musical is one of my favourites this will be completely different.
"An intense and serious drama that will find contemporary relevance to what’s going on in the world today.
"I’m thrilled to be reunited with Faith Penhale and Simon Vaughan, my partners from ‘War and Peace’, with Charlotte Moore from the BBC, and of course, with Andrew Davies who wrote ‘War and Peace’.
"I think the BBC and Weinstein Television collaboration are a new paradigm in the telling of classics – they’re modern and yet respectful. And, with the exception of James Bond, nobody does it better than Andrew Davies."
Andrew will go back to the novel to explore Valjean’s relationship with Inspector Javert in greater detail before he starts writing the screenplay for the adaptation, which will play out over six one-hour episodes.
He said: "’Les Misérables’ is a huge, iconic title. Most of us are familiar with the musical version, which only offers a fragmentary outline of its story.
"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’."
A big screen musical adaptation of ‘Les Mis’ was released in 2012 with Hugh Jackman starring as Valjean and Russell Crowe as Javert.
Other stars included Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Samantha Barks and Eddie Redmayne.
Les Miserables for BBC adaptation
