ITV’s popular Mr Selfridge returns for a run of
10 new episodes. The show had a peak audience of 9.4 million viewers for its
launch episode back in January 2013 making it an instant hit. The show, if you’ve
never seen it before (you’re missing out) is based on Harry Gordon Selfridge,
the American entrepreneur who created the famous store on London’s Oxford
Street.
The second series begins several years after the
first ended seeing the store celebrate its 5th anniversary in 1914.
With the war looming everyone has to prepare for challenging times ahead.
During the past 4 years Harry, played by the rather handsome and talented
Jeremy Piven and his wife Rose, played by the wonderful Frances O’Connor have
grown increasingly apart, with his family absent for the most part Harry lives
the life of a single man in London.
In episode one of the new series (which is just
as fantastic as you’d expect) Rose makes a new friend, Delphine Day, played by
Polly Walker, who owns the infamous Delphine’s Club in Soho. Delphine is
self-assured and begins to empower Rose. Katherine Kelly returns to play Lady
Mae Loxley who’s thrown when her husband Lord Loxley, played by Aidan McArdle
returns creating animosity at every turn. Aisling Loftus also returns (we’re very
glad) to play Agnes Towler who returns to Selfridges as the new head of display
after spending time working in Paris. Agnes’ old admirer Victor Colleano,
played by Trystan Gravelle had been promoted and now manages the Palm Court
restaurant. New addition Cal MacAninch who plays flamboyant new head of fashion
Mr Thackery thinks himself a cut above the rest of the staff and is set to
cause a stir.
We’re not the only ones looking forward to the
return of Mr Selfridge, so will his nieces, Jeremy said “ And for the first
time I have the attention of my nieces. My eight-year old niece Pearl and her
sister Lily Rose, who is 13, love all things British. They have High Tea. I’ve
earned a little street cred with them because of Mr Selfridge. So uncle Jeremy
is more than just the guy that brings multiple presents for Hanukkah and
Christmas.” He also spoke of how some people forget he is indeed playing a role
“I did have one woman come up to me and tell me that I really did need to speak
to my staff because she had a manicure and pedicure and it only lasted her a
couple of events. She wanted me to speak to my staff immediately but I think
she was confused as to the time period. Maybe she didn’t realize that we’re in
the present day and I’m an actor from Chicago. But the idea that we fooled her
was exciting”
The second series has both distinct and subtle
changes, as you’d expect from a period drama, some changes are to do with the
feel and tone of the show as Jeremy teased “It’s more dramatic than the first
season and yet it’s funnier.”. Other changes will be immediately more apparent,
Frances commented “Rose’s look is different from before. It’s a little softer
than the Edwardian look and slightly less structured. So it’s got more to it. I
think it’s very pretty in what was quite a glamorous era.” “They’ve also done a
really great job this series in terms of how they’ve dressed the sets, with the
store now five years on. The décor in all of the sets is really beautiful and
they are so detailed. It helps you believe in the world.”
Are you all as excited as we are?
January - 19th - ITV - 9pm
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