‘Glorious’ period drama ‘better than Downton Abbey’ streaming on ITVX now
Fans of the period drama with an A-list cast have said it should have won awards
Katherine Kelly as Mae Rennard and Jeremy Piven as Harry Selfridge in Mr Selfridge (Image: ITV)
A period drama centred on a real-life figure who transformed the British high street is now streaming on ITVX, with viewers hailing it as ‘worthy of awards’.
Mr Selfridge is a historical drama series which ran from 2013 to 2016, chronicling the remarkable journey of American businessman Harry Gordon Selfridge (portrayed by Jeremy Piven).
Selfridge travelled to London in 1906 with ambitions to transform British shopping, establishing his iconic Oxford Street department store, which operated from 1908 to 1928 and remains a landmark to this day.
The programme draws inspiration from Lindy Woodhead’s book Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge, tracing Selfridge’s mission to champion female customers, his dazzling yet turbulent private affairs, and his ultimate decline.
Selfridge earned his reputation as a “genius from 9am to 5pm” but a “fool after hours” owing to his compulsive attraction to women and passion for gambling.
Jeremy Piven as Harry Selfridge in Mr Selfridge (Image: ITV)
The drama opens with an ambitious and resolute Selfridge who, after more than 25 years at Marshall Field in Chicago, one of America’s most prestigious department stores, yearned to establish his own enterprise.
At Marshall Field, he held merely a partnership position and, longing to see his own name emblazoned above the entrance, relocated his family—wife Rose and their four children—to London in the opening years of the 20th century, reports the Mirror.
At 50, he set out to launch a grand emporium that would revolutionise British retail, and it’s at this pivotal moment that the television series begins.
The series stars Entourage actor Jeremy Piven as Harry Selfridge, former Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly as Lady Mae Loxley, and Frances O’Connor as Rose Selfridge.
Actress Frances O’Connor starred as Rose Selfridge in ITV’s Mr Selfridge. (Image: ITV)
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film and television ratings platform, one reviewer said: “This series is beautifully done. It is deserving of an award.”
On Reddit, one viewer added: “I really liked it. The early seasons are the strongest. It’s a new perspective on a lot of classic british period drama tropes.”
Another wrote: “I’m watching it now and I like it! I thought I would because I enjoyed The Paradise which has a similar storyline.
“My husband and I liked it. Agree that it’s soapy, but fun. Interesting characters,” said a third.
A fourth posted: “I just started it after watching the Paradise, and it’s a fun take on the same idea, but run by an obnoxious American. (which I love! ) Mr Selfridge’s loud affect is refreshingly Different, even if a bit jarring at first, but overall the show is fun casual viewing.
“I’m a few episodes in and enjoying the slow burn of actually starting to be invested in the characters. Mrs. Selfridge is a treat whenever she comes on screen, and Lady Mae (I love her actress) is an interesting figure as well.”
A fifth enthused: “I love it! ! So good! It was as good as Downton!”.
Mr. Selfridge is now available to watch on ITVX.
SOURCE: EXPRESS