War and Peace screenwriter Andrew Davies set to return with TV adaptation of Les Miserables

The man behind the BBC’s take on Tolstoy has his eye on another epic period drama
La revolution: Les Miserables was last adapted for the screen in 2012 by Tom Hooper
Ben Travis8 February 2016

Viewers who have found themselves glued to the BBC’s lavish adaptation of War and Peace will likely be in a very emotional place today.

Not just because the series has now ended – sorry, Tolstoy never wrote a War and Peace 2 – but because the finale saw tragic endinhs for several beloved characters.

Those hoping for another weep-tastic historical epic will be pleased to hear that screenwriter Andrew Davies who has previously adapted Pride & Prejudice, Vanity Fair, Bleak House, and the original House of Cards – already has his next project in mind: a music-free version of Les Miserables.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “It’s another big epic story and I thinking people will be surprised that there is so much more to it than they maybe realise.

“It’s an immensely powerful story about appalling levels of poverty and deprivation and how people transcend it, it’s about redemption and revenge and the extraordinary relationship between Jean Valjean and a little girl he brings up.

“The pursuit of Javert, the indomitable detective who lets it get personal is classic film noir.”

Those hoping for a rousing rendition of Do You Hear The People Sing might be disappointed though – Davies has said he’s not a huge fan of the musical.

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“I hated, particularly, the film of the musical because the singing was so appalling,” he said. “And I did not really find myself bewitched by the stage musical but then, so many people can’t be wrong.”

While work on the scripts has not yet begun, Davies has figured out a structure and is working with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein on the adaptation. The BBC are not yet involved, though Davies says that “the BBC on a Sunday night [is] my absolute favourite place to be”.

Bring on the revolution.

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