The BBC's Titular ‘Les Misérables’ Will Be Dominic West, David Oyelowo, and Lily Collins 

Victor Hugo’s sprawling novel Les Misérables is getting another adaptation—this time not as a big-budget musical, but rather a BBC miniseries that will broaden my costume drama choices because honestly, I can only watch so much Bleak House and don’t even get me started on the number of times I’ve seen North and South.

Variety reports that the leads will be Dominic West as the hunted Jean Valjean, David Oyelowo as the relentless Inspector Javert, and Lily Collins as the tragic Fantine. According to Deadline, writer Andrew Davies (who has also adapted War and Peace, so he’s really making his way through the great doorstops here) will be working “from the original novel — rather than the musical — delving deep into the many layers of Valjean and Javert’s cat-and-mouse relationship, and set against the epic backdrop of France at a time of civil unrest.” There is also famously loads of information about the Parisian sewers and how to improve them.

Adeel Akhtar and Olivia Colman will be Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, while Ellie Bamber will be Cosette, Josh O’Connor will be Marius, and Erin Kellyman will be Éponine. Weinstein TV was originally involved as a co-producer and distributor in the US and China, but got kicked to the curb over the allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Shooting begins in February.