Watch Mr. Selfridge

Mr. Selfridge is a period drama television series that aired on PBS from 2013 to 2016, inspired by the life of the founder of the London department store Selfridges, Harry Gordon Selfridge. The show stars Jeremy Piven in the lead role as the eponymous Mr. Selfridge, with a supporting cast including Frances O'Connor, Katherine Kelly, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.

Set in London in the early 1900s, the show follows the rise and fall of Harry Selfridge as he fulfills his dream of creating a department store that caters to the desires of the modern consumer. The show explores the intricacies of retail and the captivating style and elegance of the era.

Harry Gordon Selfridge is an American-born businessman who brings his innovative retail ideas to London with the opening of Selfridges on Oxford Street in 1909. He revolutionizes shopping in Britain by introducing elements of American-style retail such as window displays and in-store cafes. He sets out to make his shop a cultural center – a place where people can enjoy music, art and even vaudeville acts – and succeeds beyond his wildest dreams. However, his personal life is complicated as he seeks to balance his work life with issues such as his troubled marriage and various romantic dalliances.

Mr. Selfridge is not simply about the mogul, but also about the store’s employees, from the head of fashion, Miss Mardle (played by Kelly), to the ambitious and handsome window dresser, Victor Colleano (Jackson-Cohen), who becomes a love interest of Harry’s eldest daughter. Characters from all walks of life, including aristocrats, socialites and working-class people, frequent the store, and their interactions often play out like mini-dramas.

One of the show's biggest strengths is its attention to detail, particularly in its costumes and set design, which perfectly capture the look and feel of the era. The show also manages to weave in historical events such as the suffragette movement and the onset of World War I. Overall, the show provides a fascinating look at a pivotal time in history, as retail and modern consumer culture began to take shape in the early 20th century.

Jeremy Piven's performance as Harry Gordon Selfridge is particularly noteworthy, capturing both the ambition and charisma of the character as well as his darker side. Piven portrays Selfridge as a man who is magnetic but also deeply flawed, prone to bouts of impulsiveness and poor decision-making. Frances O'Connor, as his long-suffering wife Rose, also gives a skilled performance, conveying the pain and frustration of a woman so devoted to her husband that she turns a blind eye to his infidelities.

Throughout its four seasons, Mr. Selfridge manages to keep viewers engaged with a mix of drama, romance, and intrigue. The show explores important themes such as class, gender roles, and consumerism, making it a thought-provoking viewing experience. At its core, however, Mr. Selfridge is a story about a man with a vision and the determination to make it a reality, no matter the personal cost.

Mr. Selfridge is a series that is currently running and has 4 seasons (42 episodes). The series first aired on March 31, 2013.

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