'Captivating' period drama adaptation hailed 'one of the best' streaming now

Period drama fans can't afford to miss out on this adaptation of a literary classic, after others have enjoyed a "masterpiece" Netflix series and another programme with "exquisite" music.

This BBC series gave the story a big makeover with audiences getting a fresh take on the tragic tale.

Many praised the series on IMDb as one person posted a 10/10 review titled: "Masterful - Translating the story for a British Audience."

The audience member elaborated: "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."

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 top-rated 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."

Someone else noted: "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."

The user explained: "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."

Les Misérables aired on the BBC back in 2018 with an all-star cast led by Downton Abbey and The Affair's Dominic West, Hollywood star David Oyelowo, and Lily Collins of Emily in Paris fame.

The six-part series was adapted from the 1862 French historical novel of the same name by Victor Hugo.

Les Misérables was set primarily during the 1830s in France at a time of revolution and civil unrest.

The drama followed ex-convict Jean Valjean (West) as he tried to redeem himself by building a new life, however tenacious police inspector Javert (Oyelowo) was on his trail to make him pay for a parole violation.

Within this, the story also followed impoverished factory worker Fantine (Collins) as she struggled to survive.

However, the crucial difference was there wasn't any singing or music, unlike the long-running West End musical Les Misérables, and so giving a different spin to the BBC period drama.

Iconic screenwriter Andrew Davies, who was behind the likes of Pride and Prejudice (1995) and War & Peace and the BBC House of Cards series, penned the scripts for Les Misérables.

Other cast members included Adeel Akhtar as Monsieur Thénardier, Johnny Flynn as Felix Tholomyès, Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Col. Pontmercy, David Bradley as Monsieur Gillenormand, and Derek Jacobi as Bishop Myriel.

Further casting included Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Game of Thrones' Enzo Cilenti, Josh O'Connor from The Crown, The Serpent actress Ellie Bamber, I Fought the Law's Ron Cook, Kathryn Hunter, Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn, Donald Sumpter, and Alan David.

The BBC version comes after a 1998 film with Liam Neeson and Uma Thurman and another one from 2012 with Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman.

Les Misérables (2018) is streaming on Prime Video for a fee