This BBC period drama hailed as ‘one of the best’ and ‘packed with emotion’ by viewers has found a new home on Amazon Prime Video.
Fans have been calling this period drama ‘one of the best'(Image: BBC)
Period drama fans will not want to miss this adaption of a literary classic.
The BBC’s Les Misérables gave the tragic tale a fresh makeover, offering audiences a new perspective on the story. Unlike the long-running West End musical, this adaption contains no singing or music, giving the period drama distinctive and completely different tone.
The six-part series first aired in 2018, and featured an all-star cast led by Dominic West, known for his role in Downton Abbey, as ex-convict Jean Valjean, David Oyelowo as the relentless Inspector Javert, and Lily Collins as the penniless factory worker Fantine.
The drama is set primarily in 1830s France, during a period of revolution and civil unrest, and follows Valjean’s struggle to redeem himself while Javert pursues him for a parole violation. Fantine’s unfortunate situation is interwoven throughout, highlighting the harsh realities of the era.
Other notable cast members included Adeel Akhtar as Monsieur Thénardier, Johnny Flynn as Felix Tholomyès, Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Col. Pontmercy, David Bradley as Monsieur Gillenormand, Derek Jacobi as Bishop Myriel, Enzo Cilenti, Josh O’Connor, Ellie Bamber, Ron Cook, Kathryn Hunter, Joseph Quinn, Donald Sumpter and Alan David.
The series was wrote by the iconic screenwriter Andrew Davies, known for Pride and Prejudice (1995), War & Peace and the BBC’s House of Cards.
The BBC adaption of Les Misérables took viewers by storm when it first aired (Image: BBC)
This BBC adaptation follows previous film versions, including the 1998 movie starring Liam Neeson and Uma Thurman, and the 2012 version with Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman.
Many viewers have praised the series on IMDb, highlighting its approach to the story and strong acting by Dominic, Lily and David. One 10/10 review titled: “Masterful – Translating the story for a British Audience” read: “I think that the best actors were chosen to portray the roles perfectly and that the script was adapted to suit the target audience, we the British public. And I would highly recommend this series to anyone with a soul who will appreciate the beauty in it.”
Dominic West took the lead in the tragic period drama(Image: BBC)
Another 10/10 review stated: “I have watched so many tv series and I honestly think this might be the best one I have ever seen. This tv series really is packed with emotion and I have never felt sad for a character ever, like I did here. Highly recommend it. Amazing!! [sic].”
A third review read: “Having previously been put off the story by the musical versions I was happy to see a drama available which I hope will give me a sense of the original story with which I am unfamiliar.”
“So far the cast seems excellent and the whole thing has a big budget feel. The story is just unfolding and I hope they can keep up the quality,” they continued.
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While other fans agreed, noting: “This version is captivating. While the musical version has some excellent music, I have never been able to get through watching it.”
A fifth person said: “An excellent adaptation for an excellent novel. Now right from the beginning when you watch, you can sense that there is something special about this show.
“The cinematography, the acting, and the outstanding story are all mixed together to exhibit a work that I might personally claim to be far better than the previous versions of Liam Neeson and Hugh Jackman,” they concluded.
Les Misérables (2018) is now available to stream on Prime Video