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    Dominic West on the near-erotic bond between Valjean and Javert in 'Les Miserables'

    by Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times Apr 10, 2019 6 minutes

    Since the original publication of Victor Hugo's novel "Les Miserables" more than 150 years ago, the brutal conflict between the convict-turned-savior Jean Valjean and ruthless pursuer Inspector Javert has been dramatized countless times on stage, screen and even radio.

    Although most of the versions have been dramatic, the most dominant and popular adaptation of the 1862 novel is musical. The Tony Award-winning "Les Miserables," launched in Paris in 1980, has been featured on stages around the globe, and its colorful characters, luscious ballads and rousing anthems have been embraced by millions of theatergoers.

    Dominic West is not among them.

    The actor who came to prominence in the landmark HBO series "The Wire" and is starring in Showtime's "The Affair" has never seen "Les Miserables" on stage. And he didn't make it all the way through the 2012 film version starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

    Still, he understood how immensely popular the musical is.

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