Period drama perfect for Downton Abbey fans streaming free on ITV now

Viewers are transported back in time to the 1900s with this ‘masterpiece’ period drama set in London amongst a designer shopping empire

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The ITV drama has been dubbed a ‘masterpiece’ (Image: ITV)

A period drama for the ages, this TV series has gripped viewers for years, and as people continue to stumble across it they are left feeling satisfied and wanting more to watch.

Fans of Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife will love this four-season ITV drama which has shaped the genre and left viewers in awe.

Based on a real-life story, they can expect to learn about the dramatised life of one of England’s wealthiest men who made his fortune in the world of retail.

Mr Selfridge is a period drama retelling the life and career of Harry Selfridge and his world-renowned department store, Selfridges, in London.

The series is set between the years 1908 and 1929 and takes viewers on a journey as he successfully modernises the idea of the department store in the heart of the capital on Oxford Street, London.

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The show first aired in 2013(Image: Shared Content Unit)

Among his peers are a number of other historical figures who he rubs shoulders with over the decades that follow. These famous people include the likes of French aviator Louis Blériot, Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, and even the British monarch Edward VII.

The show captures both the rise of his wealth and influence on retail and the downfall, when he is forced to step down from his position in the 1920s.

While it’s all based on true events, the series exaggerates the details to build a better picture for audiences and capture what some are saying is an ‘excellent’ show.

One viewer on IMDb dubbed it a “delightful British masterpiece”.

They wrote: “I’m a late arrival to this true gem of a series, giving me the distinct benefit and joy of watching back-to-back episodes in a binge-viewing. Frankly, my initial reaction was, ‘What could be interesting about a department store?’ ‘ I’m glad I went with a friend’s recommendation and had a view.”

Another review from one impressed viewer titled it “a period drama worth watching”.

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The show was created for ITV by Andrew Davies(Image: ITV )

They wrote: “When I first read about the show I was sceptical, but I found I fell in love with it from the first view. The way the story is distributed among multiple characters is definitely something you don’t see every day, or at least not with the quality that Mr Selfridge has.”

Mr Selfridge has been praised for its attention to detail when it comes to recreating this period in time from a fashion and set design point of view, and it’s these details that make a period drama worthwhile.

Playing the late Harry Selfridge is American actor Jeremy Piven, best known for his role in Entourage. Also appearing in the series are Amanda Abbington, Katherine Kelly, and Aisling Loftus.

One person said: “I had high expectations, and this series surpassed them.” They added a detailed review, stating: “Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love series set decades (or in this case, a century) ago.

“However, in recent times, with the growth in number of these shows, I worry that some are churned out lacking the necessary quality and are present more as an exhibition of period clothing than exceptional storylines.

“This show, however, was just excellent in my opinion. It challenges viewers whilst capturing the time period. The characters are all divine in their ways.”

The show ran for a total of four seasons, coming to an end in 2016. All episodes of Mr Selfridge are available to stream now on ITVX.

SOURCE: WALESONLINE