Les Misérables (2018)
A sweeping BBC One miniseries adaptation of Victor Hugo's immortal novel, tracing one man's decades-long quest for redemption across revolutionary France.
Les Misérables - Series Information
- Original Title: Les Misérables
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: December 30, 2018 (United States - TV-14), December 30, 2018 (United Kingdom - 12), December 30, 2018 (Germany - 12), December 30, 2018 (France - 12), December 30, 2018 (Australia - M), December 30, 2018 (Brazil - 14), December 30, 2018 (Mexico - B), December 30, 2018 (Spain - 12), December 30, 2018 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: Les Miserables (US), 悲慘世界 (TW), Los Miserables (MX), 레 미제라블 (KR)
- Production Companies: Lookout Point, Masterpiece, GMT Productions, Sat.1, DD Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland
Les Misérables - Plot
France, 1815. Jean Valjean, a common thief, is released from prison after having lived a hell in life for 19 years, but a small mistake puts the law again on his trail. Ruthless Inspector Javert pursues him thorough years, driven by a twisted sense of justice, while Valjean reforms himself, thrives and dedicates his life to good deeds. In 1832, while the revolution ravages the streets of Paris, Valjean and Javert cross their paths for the last time.
Les Misérables - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the drama of revolutionary France unfold:
Les Misérables - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Lily Collins
- Dominic West
- David Oyelowo
- Adeel Akhtar
- Emma Fielding
- David Bradley
- Enzo Cilenti
- Lorcan Cranitch
- Olivia Colman
- Erin Kellyman
Writers
- Andrew Davies
Executive Producers
- Dominic West
- Mona Qureshi
- David Oyelowo
- Simon Vaughan
- Eurydice Gysel
Les Misérables - FAQs
Is Les Misérables based on a true story?
Les Misérables is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's celebrated 1862 novel of the same name. Hugo drew on real social conditions in 19th-century France, including poverty, inequality, and the June Rebellion of 1832, but the central characters and plot are fictional.
Who are the main actors in Les Misérables?
The miniseries stars Lily Collins, Dominic West as Jean Valjean, and David Oyelowo as Inspector Javert. The cast also includes Olivia Colman as Madame Thénardier, Adeel Akhtar as Thénardier, Erin Kellyman as Éponine, David Bradley, Emma Fielding, Enzo Cilenti, and Lorcan Cranitch.
How many episodes does Les Misérables have?
Les Misérables consists of six episodes, structured as a single miniseries season. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes, making the complete series roughly six hours of television. It aired on BBC One beginning December 30, 2018, and concluded in early 2019.
Is Les Misérables worth watching?
Les Misérables earned strong critical praise for its performances, particularly from Dominic West and David Oyelowo, and Andrew Davies's faithful yet cinematic screenplay. Critics highlighted its emotional depth, stunning period production design, and the compelling central cat-and-mouse dynamic between Valjean and Javert.
Who wrote the Les Misérables BBC miniseries?
The BBC miniseries was written by Andrew Davies, the acclaimed British screenwriter known for his literary adaptations. Davies adapted Victor Hugo's sprawling 1862 novel into a six-part script, emphasizing the social and moral dimensions of the story while making it accessible to contemporary television audiences.
When did Les Misérables first air on BBC One?
Les Misérables first aired on December 30, 2018, on BBC One in the United Kingdom. It premiered simultaneously in the United States, Germany, France, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and South Korea on the same date, with PBS Masterpiece handling the American broadcast.
What is the content rating for Les Misérables?
Les Misérables carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series contains depictions of poverty, violence, child abuse, and social injustice drawn from Victor Hugo's source novel, presented with a serious dramatic tone.
What are similar shows to Les Misérables?
Viewers who enjoyed Les Misérables may also appreciate Poldark (2015), a sweeping period drama set in 18th-century England, Vanity Fair (2018), another literary BBC adaptation, and Three Girls (2017), a powerful British miniseries. Around the World in 80 Days (1989) and To Serve Them All My Days (1980) also offer comparable period storytelling.
More About Les Misérables
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