Who's miserable now ?

I hope the new BBC version of Les Miserables is a success. At this stage, a lot of people want to be associated with it. Here's the full line up of credits in the press release about the commission.

Charlotte Moore, Director of Content (package now £295k - spookily matching that awarded to trainee programme boss James Purnell). She promises us "a multi-layered re-telling of Victor Hugo's masterpiece".

Andrew Davies will provide the adaptation, and get a second fee as Executive Producer. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity of doing real justice to Victor Hugo".

Nick Betts, Director, Scripted, BBC Studios (previous package £217k - not yet updated) promises "a definitive version of Les Misérables for the BBC.”

Faith Penhale, previously Head of Drama, BBC Wales (she left in January saying goodbye to a package of £194k), is now CEO of co-producers Lookout Point (majority shareholder BBC Worldwide). She says "It's a privilege to be working with Andrew, Harvey and the BBC again to bring Hugo's searingly relevant masterpiece, and his biggest achievement, faithfully to life for a modern audience."

Harvey ? Why it's our old chum Harvey Weinstein, co-producer, who is reassuring: "The musical is one of my favorites; this will be completely different."

Les Miserables was co-commissioned by Lucy Richer, Acting Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, who only gets a name check. Piers Wenger is yet to arrive from Channel 4.  Les Miserable will have more executive producers - Bethan Jones, acting Head of Drama for BBC Wales, and Simon Vaughan, founder of Lookout Point