ANDREW DAVIES: REWRITING THE CLASSICS

1x60' television documentary commissioned by BBC Wales and BBC Four

A BAFTA CYMRU nominated profile of Britain's best known screenwriter as he embarks upon his latest adaptation – Les Misérables.

Controversial, witty, irreverent – Britain's best known screenwriter, Andrew Davies, has created some of the most iconic small-screen dramas of the past 50 years. At the age of 82 he is following his smash hit adaptation of War and Peace with another global epic, Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. As he watches the production come to life during 2018, he looks back at the influence of his childhood in Cardiff. And he explores how he boils down and spices up his dramas – transforming our best-loved novels into prime-time television. Contributors include Sarah Waters, Helen Fielding and Dominic West.

'absorbing' The Guardian

'fascinating' The Mail on Sunday

'enlightening' The Times

"As a companion piece to the launch of his latest triumph, Les Misérables, the elder statesman of TV adaptations (War And Peace, House of Cards) talks technique, process and the subtle art of subtext in an absorbing documentary and screenwriting masterclass" (Guardian Guide 29/12/201)

Pick of the Day: Daily Telegraph, Guardian Guide, Daily Mail, i Weekend, Sunday Times, The Mail on Sunday, The Times.

1st TX BBC Four
BBC TWO Wales
30/12/2018

Produced, directed and written
Suzanne Phillips

Executive Producer
Sarah Broughton