If you’re on the lookout for a fascinating chapter of history to dive into, we have a 5-star period drama to fulfil all your escapism needs - and it's a must-watch for Downton Abbey fans. ITV's Mr Selfridge takes us back to the early 20th century where we follow one of history’s most flamboyant businessmen – Harry Gordon Selfridge. It's glamorous, full of scandal, and the good news is - it's available to binge this week.
The series, which first aired on the broadcaster in 2013, begins with Harry’s arrival in London from Chicago in 1908. Across four series, we watch as he embarks on an ambitious vision to open the world’s greatest department store on Oxford Street and witness the bitter cost of the charismatic mogul’s relentless impulsiveness.
With the series available to stream now, here’s everything you need to know about Mr Selfridge, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Mr Selfridge about?
The period drama traces the history of one of the world’s most iconic department stores, Selfridges, and the entrepreneur behind it. At the heart of it is the larger-than-life Harry Gordon Selfridge (Jeremy Piven), who arrives in London with one dream – to build the world’s greatest department store on Oxford Street. After his business partner pulls out of the project, he manages to receive support from socialite Lady Mae Loxley (Katherine Kelly) – and he starts to build his store.
Between 1908 and 1910, the store opens and starts to thrive – from celebrity buzz to bold publicity stunts – it’s the talk of the town. Meanwhile, Harry’s personal life is every bit as dramatic. He starts an affair with a music-hall performer that threatens his marriage to Rose (Frances O’Connor), who eventually decides to make a drastic decision regarding her family.
The second series picks up in 1914, with the store celebrating a 5-year milestone. World War I threatens to upend everything they’ve worked for as many of the male staff members are enlisted and the shop itself becomes involved in the war effort, too. Harry finds himself embroiled in a secret intelligence mission that takes him to Germany. Meanwhile, Lord Loxley (Aidan McArdle) is ready to take Selfridge's down – and employee Henri (Grégory Fitoussi) is accused of being a spy!
Series 3 moves into the aftermath of the war, where Harry must grapple with a devastating loss, while Britain, and the store, must adapt to the new world. Harry grows increasingly impulsive with his other business endeavours, which jeopardises the future of his empire. The final chapter brings us into the roaring twenties with Harry at the peak of his fame – but will his extravagant lifestyle, familial fractures and unpaid debts eventually catch up with him?
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Who’s in the cast of Mr Selfridge?
The cast of Mr Selfridge includes:
- Jeremy Piven (Entourage) as Harry Selfridge
- Ron Cook (Richard III) as Mr Crabb
- Tom Goodman-Hill (Rebecca) as Mr Grove
- Amy Beth Hayes (Case Sensitive) as Kitty Hawkins / Kitty Edwards
- Samuel West (All Creatures Great And Small) as Frank Edwards
- Amanda Abbington (Crooked House) as Miss Mardle
- Trystan Gravelle (The Aliens) as Victor Colleano
- Calum Callaghan (Our World) as George Towler
- Malcolm Rennie (Hysteria, Pride and Prejudice) as Fraser
- Greg Austin (Class, Hunters) as Gordon Selfridge
- Katherine Kelly (The Crow Girl, In Flight) as Lady Mae / Mae Rennard
- Amy Morgan (Wuthering Heights) as Grace Calthorpe / Grace Selfridge
- Sadie Shimmin (Wallander) as Miss Plunkett
- Aisling Loftus (The Midwich Cuckoos) as Agnes Towler / Agnes Leclair
- Grégory Fitoussi (Erica) as Henri Leclair
- Kika Markham (Fearless) as Lois Selfridge
- Deborah Cornelius (Poirot) as Miss Blenkinsop
- Frances O’Connor (Mansfield Park) as Rose Selfridge
- Sacha Parkinson (The Driver) as Connie Hawkins / Connie Towler
- Kara Tointon (The Teacher) as Rosalie Selfridge / Rosalie de Bolotoff
- Aidan McArdle (The Holiday) as Lord Loxley
Is there a trailer for Mr Selfridge?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Mr Selfridge below.
Is Mr Selfridge any good?
Yes – it’s the perfect dose of escapism and a truly fascinating look into a chapter of British retail history. Jeremy Piven is a magnetic lead as Harry Selfridge, with his charisma, lust for life and optimism making him impossible not to root for. We also have to mention the costumes which, in our opinion, are even better than those in Downton Abbey!
How can I watch Mr Selfridge?
Mr Selfridge is available to watch now on ITVX.
What other period dramas can I watch now?
For a more emotional spot of escapism, we’d suggest Cable Girls, which follows four women who find themselves on the cusp of change as they’re hired as operators for a national telecommunications company in 1920s Madrid. They face whirlwind romances, heartbreak, deceit and the dawn of a dictatorship. Cable Girls is available to watch now on Netflix. If you’re after a whodunnit, we’d recommend Summer ’36, a French series which transports us to the dazzling Côte d’Azur in 1936. When a prosecutor dies, four very different women all become prime suspects – and it’s a rollercoaster ride to work out who was responsible. Summer ’36 is available to watch now on Netflix.
