Interview with Ellie Bamber

Tell us about Cosette
For me, Cosette is a representation of hope and the future for the story. Her journey is the story of her becoming a woman, but one from a really tough past. Previously I feel audiences have had a different idea of Cosette - she’s often seen as a passive character within the plot, but Andrew Davies’ script delves into her past so you can see why she is nervous at the beginning of her teenage life. She does have a huge capacity to love and that begins to show.

I haven’t played a character recently from this time period so wearing these amazing costumes is incredible, as are the sets.

Tell us about Les Misérables as an adaptation
I loved Andrew’s scripts, they are so eloquently written. An audience who hasn’t read the book but might have seen the play or seen the movie adaptation will see new details that they wouldn’t have seen or known before, especially about the characters' pasts and where they are going.

Tell us about the relationship between Cosette and Jean Valjean
The relationship between Cosette and Jean Valjean is wonderful, as they depend on each other. She teaches him how to love and that’s beautiful. The interesting thing about the journey they go on together is Cosette becoming a woman: it’s a father holding onto his daughter, but also letting her go.

Cast and Crew credits

Jean Valjean - Dominic West
Javert - David Oyelowo
Fantine - Lily Collins
Madame Thénardier - Olivia Colman
Monsieur Thénardier - Adeel Akhtar
Cosette - Ellie Bamber
Marius - Josh O’Connor
Éponine - Erin Kellyman

Writer/Executive Producer - Andrew Davies
Producer - Chris Carey
Executive Producer - Faith Penhale
Executive Producer - Bethan Jones

Executive Producer - David Oyelowo
Executive Producer - Dominic West
Executive Producer - Rebecca Eaton

Executive Producer for BBC One - Mona Qureshi

Related Programme Information

• Episode one
• Episode two
• Episode three