TV adaptation of Tolstoy's War and Peace will be aired on Sunday on BBC one

The much-awaited drama of 2016 – an adaptation of Tolstoy's War and Peace – will be aired on Sunday at 9 pm on BBC One. Andrew Davies adaptation raked up much controversy when he sexed up the Russian epic classic.

The Daily Mail says this is not the first time Davies has "sexed up" up a drama. Twenty years ago, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice underwent the same treatment by Davies.

Davies has included intimate scenes including a close scene between the siblings Helene and Anatole Kuragin. But he brushed aside the controversies saying that he had not simply made it up to "sauce the plot", says the Mirror. "It was referenced in the book, absolutely. The brother and sister relationship was something I made clearer than Tolstoy did," argued Davies, 79.

Controversies apart, it is said that his version would reach several who have not delved into the book because of its length, which is more than 1,200 pages. Leo Tolstoy's book was published in 1869. It is the story of three youngsters who grow up against the backdrop of Russia's war with Napolean in 1805. The star cast includes James Norton, Lily James, Paul Dano. The latest adaptation is directed by Tom Harper.

The six-part BBC adaptation stars James Norton, Lily James and Paul Dano, and is directed by Tom Harper.