Television series
Mr Selfridge
is a British
period drama
television series about
Harry Gordon Selfridge
and his department store,
Selfridge & Co
, in London, set from 1908 to 1928. It was co-produced by
ITV Studios
and
Masterpiece
/
WGBH
[1]
for broadcast on
ITV
. The series began broadcasting on ITV on 6 January 2013 and 30 March 2016 on
PBS
in the United States.
Production
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]
Development and production
[
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]
It was announced on 24 May 2011 that ITV was in discussions with ITV Studios about developing an adaptation of Lindy Woodhead's biography
Shopping, Seduction & Mr Selfridge
.
[2]
Andrew Davies
was confirmed to be working on the script.
[2]
Beginning in London in 1908, during a time period when women were enjoying an ever-increasing amount of freedom, it tells the story of Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridges department store and includes members of his family, particularly his wife
Rose Selfridge
.
It was originally planned to be screened in 2012, and it is claimed that ITV was forced to push back airing the drama due to rival
BBC
airing a similarly themed drama series
The Paradise
.
[3]
A set to the north of London was built to house a replica of the 1909 Selfridge's store interior. The exterior of the store was recreated in
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
, in Kent.
[4]
The disused
Aldwych tube station
was used to film Rose Selfridge travelling on the
London Underground
and scenes in the first episode.
On 8 February 2013, ITV announced
Mr Selfridge
had been commissioned for a second series of ten episodes, to start on 19 January 2014.
[5]
Anthony Byrne, who directed three episodes of series one, returned to direct some of the new episodes.
[6]
On 22 July 2013, PBS also purchased a second series that aired in 2014 as part of its
Masterpiece Classic
.
[7]
The second series is set in 1914 and portrays the consequence of World War I to the store and staff. On 21 February 2014, it was announced that
Mr. Selfridge
had been renewed for a third series, to air in 2015.
[8]
On 13 March 2015, ITV announced
Mr Selfridge
had been commissioned for a new 10-part fourth and final series.
[9]
Casting
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]
An American casting director was employed to find an actor suitable to play Harry Selfridge.
[10]
Jeremy Piven
's agent informed him of the role. Producer Chrissy Skinns and director Jon Jones met Piven in Los Angeles and were impressed by his understanding of the character.
[10]
Executive producer Kate Lewis was "thrilled to attract"
Frances O'Connor
to the role of
Rose Selfridge
because she had long been a fan of the actress.
[11]
Former
Coronation Street
actress
Katherine Kelly
signed up to play Lady Mae Loxley and returned for Series 2 and Series 4. The casting of the trio was announced in March 2012 alongside
Gregory Fitoussi
(Henri Leclair),
Aisling Loftus
(Agnes Towler),
Zoe Tapper
(Ellen Love) and
Trystan Gravelle
(Victor Colleano).
[12]
Cast and characters
[
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]
Series overview
[
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]
Shop staff
[
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]
Accessories
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]
- Josie Mardle (Series 1?4), Head of Department
- Grace Calthorpe (Series 2?3), Shop assistant / Head of Department
- Agnes Towler (Series 1), Senior shop assistant
- Doris Millar (Series 1), Shop assistant
- Kitty Hawkins (Series 1), Shop assistant
Beauty
[
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]
- Kitty Hawkins (Series 2?4), Head of Department
- Jessie Pertree (Series 2?3), Shop assistant
Fashion
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]
- Flora Bunting (Series 1), Head of Department
- Irene Ravilious (Series 1), Head of Department
- Mr Thackery (Series 2?3), Head of Department
- Josie Mardle (Series 3), Head of Department
- Connie Hawkins (Series 3?4), Shop assistant / Head of Department
- Agnes Towler (Series 1), Shop assistant
- Gordon Selfridge (Series 3), Shop assistant
- Meryl Grove (Series 4), Shop assistant
Loading Bay
[
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]
- George Towler (Series 1?2), Assistant / Head of Department
- Gordon Selfridge (Series 2), Assistant
- Sam (Series 1), Assistant
- Alf (Series 1), Assistant
- Ed (Series 2), Assistant
- Dave (Series 2), Assistant
- Sarah Ellis (Series 2?3), Assistant
Offices
[
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]
- Harry Selfridge (Series 1?4), General Manager
- Henri Leclair (Series 2?3), Deputy Manager
- Gordon Selfridge (Series 3?4), Deputy Manager / Provincial Stores Manager
- Roger Grove, (Series 1?4), Chief of Staff / Deputy Manager
- Josie Mardle (Series 4), Deputy Manager
- Arthur Crabb (Series 1?4), Finance
- Miss Blenkinsopp (Series 1?2), Secretary
- Miss Plunket (Series 2?4), Secretary
Design
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]
- Henri Leclair (Series 1), Head of Display
- Agnes Towler (Series 2?3), Head of Display
- Pierre Longchamp (Series 3), Head of Display
- Freddy Lyons (Series 4), Head of Display
The Palm Court
[
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]
- Mr Perez (Series 1), Head of Department
- Victor Colleano, (Series 1?2), Waiter / Head of Department
- Franco Colleano (Series 2), Waiter
Sewing Room
[
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- Mae Rennard (Series 4), Designer
- Sarah Ellis (Series 4), Head of Department
- Matilda Brockless (Series 4), Machinist / Head of Department
- Prue (Series 4), Machinist
- Joyce (Series 4), Machinist
Other departments
[
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]
- Gordon Selfridge (Series 2), Tea
- George Towler (Series 3?4), Head of Security
- Miss Blenkinsop (Series 3?4), Head of Information Bureau
Episodes
[
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]
Series 1 (2013)
[
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]
(1908?10)
Series 2 (2014)
[
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]
(1914)
Series 3 (2015)
[
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]
(1918?19)
Series 4 (2016)
[
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]
(1928?29)
Reception
[
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]
In a poll hosted by
MSN
more than 80% of readers said they would continue watching the show following the first episode.
[43]
Phil Hogan writing for
The Guardian
bemoaned the story development. He observed that there is "so much crisis with so little drama".
[44]
Ross Sweeney from Cultbox said that the show had direction but lacked "actual substance and any real surprises". He praised the costume designers for their "astonishing attention to detail".
[45]
Susanna Lazarus of the
Radio Times
opined that the character's earnestness detracted from the realism of the story. She added the female cast created the "plot tension" needed to maintain viewership.
[46]
Gabriel Tate of
Time Out
branded it an unsubtle, daft series with glorious production values but felt it was "ideal escapism for a Sunday night". He also stated that the character of Agnes Towler was "the heart of the show".
[47]
Benjamin Secher from
The Daily Telegraph
said that
Mr Selfridge
is a "less cosy, more charismatic" production of
The Paradise
. A "sumptuous, frothy drama" and "entertaining spectacle", but ultimately Secher did not believe the story.
[48]
MSN critic Dan Owen branded it "sumptuous Sunday evening viewing". He thought the "wonderful" sets and costumes were better than those featured in fellow period drama
Downton Abbey
.
[43]
Broadcasts
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The programme has been distributed internationally by ITV Studios' Global Entertainment brand.
[11]
ITV sold the series to a number of countries at the 2012
Mipcom
event.
[49]
In addition they have pre-sold the show to
Australia's
Seven Network
and the satellite television provider,
Yes
, in
Israel
.
[50]
In the Netherlands, Series 1 was aired starting August, 2013 and series 2 was aired from July 2014. In Sweden "Mr Selfridge" was aired at the public service network SVT. The last two episodes of season 4 were aired as a double on 25 June 2016 on SVT1.
Notes
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]
- ^
7.699 million on ITV,
[13]
844,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[14]
and 813,000 on ITV +1.
[15]
- ^
7.383 million on ITV,
[16]
834,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[17]
and 730,000 on ITV +1.
[18]
- ^
6.19 million on ITV,
[19]
786,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[20]
and 626,000 on ITV +1.
[21]
- ^
6.97 million on ITV and ITV HD,
[22]
and 760,000 on ITV +1.
[23]
- ^
6.27 million on ITV,
[24]
747,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[25]
and 744,000 on ITV +1.
[26]
- ^
6.658 million on ITV,
[27]
727,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[28]
and 407,000 on ITV +1.
[29]
- ^
6.57 million on ITV,
[30]
654,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[31]
and 654,000 on ITV +1.
[32]
- ^
6.26 million on ITV,
[34]
712,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[35]
and 742,000 on ITV +1.
[36]
- ^
5.97 million on ITV,
[37]
695,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[38]
and 736,000 on ITV +1.
[39]
- ^
6.20 million on ITV,
[40]
726,000 on the ITV HD simulcast,
[41]
and 799,000 on ITV +1.
[42]
- ^
5.43 million on ITV, 777,000 on the ITV HD simulcast, and 553,000 on ITV +1.
- ^
5.16 million on ITV and 569,000 on ITV +1.
- ^
4.91 million on ITV and 519,000 on ITV +1.
- ^
5.06 million on ITV and 506,000 on ITV +1.
References
[
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]
- ^
"Masterpiece on PBS and ITV Studios Announce
Mr. Selfridge
Starring Jeremy Piven"
(PDF)
(Press release). Boston: WGBH. 25 July 2012
. Retrieved
9 October
2013
.
MASTERPIECE/WGBH and ITV Studios have announced a coproduction deal that includes Mr. Selfridge (w.t.), a highly anticipated new drama series starring Jeremy Piven (Entourage) in the title role.
- ^
a
b
Fletcher, Alex (24 May 2011).
"Selfridges story to be made into TV series"
.
Digital Spy
. Retrieved
18 February
2013
.
- ^
Singh, Anita (24 September 2012).
"From Selfridges to John Lewis, we've a treat in store"
.
The Daily Telegraph
. London
. Retrieved
11 February
2013
.
- ^
Kent Film Office.
"Kent Film Office Mr Selfridge Article"
.
- ^
"Mr Selfridge commissioned for another series"
.
ITV plc
. 8 February 2013
. Retrieved
11 February
2013
.
- ^
Fletcher, Alex (8 February 2013).
"
'Mr Selfridge' gets second series from ITV"
.
Digital Spy
. Retrieved
18 February
2013
.
- ^
De Moraes, Lisa (22 July 2013).
"PBS Orders Second Season of 'Mr. Selfridge'
"
.
Deadline Hollywood
. Retrieved
22 July
2013
.
- ^
"Mr Selfridge to return for a third series"
.
- ^
"Mr Selfridge commissioned for new 10-part fourth series"
.
ITV Press Centre
.
- ^
a
b
Barber, Richard (27 December 2012).
"The secrets of Mr Selfridge"
.
The Lady
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
a
b
"
Mr Selfridge
production notes (Series 1)"
(PDF)
.
itv.com
. Retrieved
22 October
2015
.
- ^
Jeffery, Morgan (29 March 2012).
"Jeremy Piven, Katherine Kelly to star in ITV's 'Mr Selfridge
'
"
.
Digital Spy
. Retrieved
18 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 06 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 06 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 06 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 13 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 13 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 13 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 20 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 20 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 20 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV w/e 27 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 27 January 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 3 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 3 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 3 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 10 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 10 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 10 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 17 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 17 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 17 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
26 February
2013
.
- ^
Graham, Alison.
"Mr Selfridge ? Series 1 ? Episode 8"
.
Radio Times
. (
Immediate Media Company
)
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 24 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
16 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 24 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
16 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 24 February 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
16 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 03 March 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
16 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 03 March 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
16 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 03 March 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
16 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 30 Programmes: ITV w/e 10 March 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
23 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV HD w/e 10 March 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
23 March
2013
.
- ^
"Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV1+1 w/e 10 March 2013"
.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
. Retrieved
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2013
.
- ^
a
b
Owen, Dan (7 January 2013).
"Mr Selfridge: Is it as good as Downton Abbey?"
.
MSN
. Archived from
the original
on 29 January 2013
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
Hogan, Phil (12 January 2013).
"Rewind TV: Mr Selfridge; Spies of Warsaw; The Polar Bear Family and Me ? review"
.
The Guardian
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
Sweeney, Ross (16 January 2013).
"
'Mr Selfridge': Episode 2 review"
.
CultBox
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
Lazarus, Susanna (6 January 2013).
"Mr Selfridge review: a strong female cast but where were the visual treats?"
.
Radio Times
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
Tate, Gabriel (13 January 2013).
"Mr Selfridge review"
.
Time Out
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
Secher, Benjamin (6 January 2013).
"Mr Selfridge, episode one, ITV1, review"
.
The Daily Telegraph
. Retrieved
17 February
2013
.
- ^
Roxborough, Scott (8 October 2012).
"MIPCOM 2012: ITV Pre-Sells Jeremy Piven Series 'Mr Selfridge'
"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
11 February
2013
.
- ^
Kanter, Jake (27 July 2012).
"ITV drama Mr Selfridge sold to US"
.
Broadcast
. Retrieved
16 February
2013
.
External links
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