David Oyelowo, Dominic West and Olivia Colman to star in Les Misérables TV series

Casting has been announced for the BBC's adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.

Dominic West will star as Jean Valjean alongside David Oyelowo as Javert, Lily Collins as Fantine and Adeel Akhtar and Olivia Colman as the Thénardiers.

They will be joined by Ellie Bamber as Cosette, Josh O’Connor as Marius and Erin Kellyman as Éponine.

Hugo's 1862 novel, which was transformed into the hit musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, has been adapted into a six-part series by Andrew Davies (War and Peace) and will begin filming in France and Belgium next month.

The series will not feature the famous songs featured in the stage show and will focus on Valjean and Javert’s story set amidst civil unrest in 19th century France.

The adaptation was announced in 2016, led by disgraced film-producer Harvey Weinstein, who was dropped by the BBC last year following the widespread sexual harassment allegations made against him.

Talking about the project, Davies said: "This is such an intense and gut-wrenching story and I am delighted that this esteemed ensemble of actors will be bringing it to life.

"In Valjean, we see the terrifying anger and resentment against society but also the tenderness that is hidden deep in his complex psyche. And in Javert, the ferocious dedication to duty that takes him from obsession to madness."

A date has not yet been announced for the series' broadcast.