The definition of masterpiece, or mas·​ter·​piece | \ˈmas-tər-ˌpēs, according to Merriam-Webster: A work done with extraordinary skill especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement.

Another definition might very well occur in April 2019 when Victor Hugo’s classic 19th century novel Les Misérables meets up with multi award-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies (House of Cards, Pride and Prejudice, Middlemarch, Little Dorrit, Bleak House, Mr Selfridge, War & Peace) as part of PBS Masterpiece.

Dominic West and David Oyelowo / Credit: Courtesy BBC Masterpiece

Known to many simply as Les Mis, Hugo’s novel has seen numerous adaptations on stage, television, film, a musical AND a film adaptation of that musical. The cast was nothing short of beside themselves at even the thought of an Andrew Davies adaptation.

“Jean Valjean is one of the great characters in world literature,” West said in a release. “His epic journey of redemption is one of the extraordinary roles an actor can take on, and I can’t wait to get stuck in to bringing Andrew’s brilliant adaptation to the screen.”

Oyelowo said it’s a dream to play an iconic role like Javert, “but to play it as written by Andrew Davies goes beyond my wildest dreams.”

Collins added, “I’m so thrilled to be playing Fantine. She is an iconic character, her tragic story feels as relevant to tell today as when it was first published.

She said Davies’ dramatization opens up the character in fresh ways that she hasn’t seen before in previous adaptations.

“With this amazing cast coming together, it really feels like it could be something very special indeed,” she said.

Olivia Colman / Credit: Courtesy BBC Masterpiece

The rest of the distinguished cast reads a bit like a Who’s Who of British Actors and Actresses:

• Adeel Akhtar (The Night Manager, Murdered By My Father, Utopia) and Olivia Colman (The Night Manager, Broadchurch, Murder on the Orient Express) as Monsieur and Madame Thénardier
• Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies) as Cosette
• Josh O’Connor (The Durrells, God’s Own Country, Ripper Street) as Marius
• Erin Kellyman (Raised by Wolves, Uncle) as Éponine

Hugo’s testament to the struggles of France’s underclass and how far they must go to survive will get the Davies treatment as he will go back to the original novel and delve deep into the many layers of Hugo’s story, digging deep into Jean Valjean and Javert’s cat-and-mouse relationship, set against the epic backdrop of France at a time of great civil unrest.

Lily Collins / Credit: BBC Masterpiece

Les Misérables premieres on PBS Masterpiece in April 14, 2019.