The BBC has announced that its six-part flagship version of Les Misérables will be transmitted from 30th December.

The cast bringing Victor Hugo's dramatic novel of struggle to life will be led by Dominic West as the convict Jean Valjean trying to escape his past, with David Oyelowo as the policeman Javert obsessed with bringing him to justice.

Lily Collins will play Fantine, the young orphaned single mother and her daughter Cosette will be played by Ellie Bamber with Olivia Colman starring as abusive Madame Thénardier and Erin Kellyman portraying Éponine.

The new adaptation takes its roots and inspiration directly from Hugo's novel written on the island of Guernsey during his fifteen-year exile there from France.

Banished to Guernsey in 1856 Hugo moved to beautiful Hauteville House perched high in the capital of St Peter Port from where he could gaze over to his beloved France on a clear day.

The island proved to be fruitful inspiration for Hugo with much of his most renowned work created in Guernsey during his years there. In addition to Les Misérables Hugo wrote Toilers of the Sea, The Man Who Laughs and The Legend of the Ages all whilst a Guernsey resident.

The eccentrically decorated Hauteville House, which is one of Guernsey's most popular tourist attractions, is widely regarded as a piece of work in itself and an expression of Hugo's creative genius packed with a profusion of second-hand furniture and bric-à-brac bought by Hugo during his time on the island. However, with time, the weather, instability of certain objects and natural wear and tear of the materials and textiles have changed the house and its décor. The house has been closed throughout 2018 for extensive refurbishment work made possible by a three-million-euro patronage programme from The Pinault Collection. The renovations will not only return Hugo's house to its former glory, but also modernise public facilities, improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience

The re-opening is scheduled for April*.

The house is now managed by Paris Musées, which is also responsible for the conservation of Hugo's other iconic house on the Place des Vosges in Paris.

-Ends –

*Subject to work being complete.

For further information on Guernsey, visit www.visitguernsey.com

For press enquiries please contact Jules Ugo or Georgina Oakley at LOTUS on jules@wearelotus.co.uk / georgina@wearelotus.co.uk or call the office on 0207 953 7470