Mr Selfridge (2013)
The lavish true story of Harry Gordon Selfridge, the audacious American who reinvented British retail and turned shopping into spectacle.
Mr Selfridge - Series Information
- Original Title: Mr Selfridge
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2016
- Created by: Andrew Davies
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 40
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 6, 2013 (United States - TV-PG), January 6, 2013 (Canada - PG), January 6, 2013 (Germany - 12), January 6, 2013 (France - 10), January 6, 2013 (Australia - M), January 6, 2013 (Brazil - 14), January 6, 2013 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: PBS, ITV1
- Alternative Titles: 赛尔弗里奇先生 (CN)
- Production Companies: ITV Studios, Masterpiece, GBH
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Mr Selfridge - Plot
Mr. Selfridge recounts the real life story of the flamboyant and visionary American founder of Selfridge's, London's lavish department store. Set in 1909 London, when women were reveling in a new sense of freedom and modernity, it follows Harry Gordon Selfridge ('Mile a Minute Harry'), a man with a mission to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Pioneering and reckless, with an almost manic energy, Harry created a theater of retail where any topic or trend that was new, exciting, entertaining - or just eccentric - was showcased.
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Mr Selfridge - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Andrew Davies
Main Cast
- Jeremy Piven
- Ron Cook
- Tom Goodman-Hill
- Samuel West
- Trystan Gravelle
- Amanda Abbington
- Amy Beth Hayes
- Kika Markham
- Deborah Cornelius
- Malcolm Rennie
Writers
- Kate Brooke
- Kate O'Riordan
Mr Selfridge - FAQs
Is Mr Selfridge based on a true story?
Mr Selfridge is firmly rooted in real history. Harry Gordon Selfridge was a genuine American entrepreneur who opened his iconic Oxford Street department store in 1909. The series dramatises his extraordinary rise, his extravagant personal life, and the revolutionary retail philosophy that made Selfridge's one of London's most celebrated institutions.
What happened to Harry Selfridge after the series ended?
The real Harry Selfridge's later years were marked by financial ruin and personal scandal. After his wife Rose died in 1918, he became entangled with the Dolly Sisters, spending lavishly on gambling and entertainment. He was eventually forced out of his own company in 1941 and died in near poverty in 1947.
Is Mr Selfridge worth watching for period drama fans?
Absolutely. Mr Selfridge delivers sumptuous Edwardian costumes, a charismatic lead performance from Jeremy Piven, and a fascinating real-life story at its heart. It captures an era of social transformation with warmth and energy. Fans of Downton Abbey and similar prestige British dramas will find plenty to enjoy across its four seasons.
Where can you stream Mr Selfridge?
Mr Selfridge is available to stream on PBS, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, Thirteen, and WETA+. You can also buy episodes on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. For free viewing with ads, check out Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads and KQED.
Who plays Harry Selfridge in Mr Selfridge?
Jeremy Piven takes on the role of Harry Gordon Selfridge, bringing boundless energy and charisma to the real-life retail pioneer. Best known for his Emmy-winning turn as Ari Gold in Entourage, Piven anchors the series with a performance that balances Selfridge's visionary brilliance against his reckless personal impulses.
How many seasons and episodes does Mr Selfridge have?
Mr Selfridge ran for four main seasons, each comprising ten episodes, for a total of 40 episodes. The series aired from 2013 to 2016 on ITV1 in the UK and PBS in the United States, spanning the years from Selfridge's 1909 store opening through the turbulent decades that followed.
How was Mr Selfridge received by critics?
Critical reception was warmly positive, particularly for the early seasons. Reviewers praised Jeremy Piven's energetic central performance and the lavish production design. While some felt later seasons lost momentum, the series was consistently commended for its accessible storytelling, rich period atmosphere, and its illuminating portrait of early twentieth-century retail culture.
What are similar shows to Mr Selfridge?
If Mr Selfridge captivated you, Downton Abbey offers a similarly grand portrait of Edwardian Britain, while The Paradise explores the world of Victorian retail with comparable charm. Poldark, North & South, and Belgravia also deliver rich period drama. For lighter fare with a similar shopgirl spirit, Miss Scarlet is well worth a look.
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