What is it? Mr. Selfridge, complete series, 40 episodes on 12 discs from PBS
When? Now
How much? $89.98
Who is Mr. Selfridge? Harry Gordon Selfridge was an American businessman and retail genius. And, yes, he was a real person. He's credited with coining phrases like "The customer is always right" and "Only _ shopping days until Christmas." He also opened the lavish Selfridge's department store and helped turn London's Oxford Street into a shopping mecca.
This series tells Selfridge's story with some fictional embellishments and characters.
In 1908, Selfridge (Jeremy Piven) moves to England and starts his big venture: building a massive store on "the dead end of Oxford Street." He hires the best and most creative salespeople, designers and financial experts he can find and encourages them to buy up the best merchandise for his store.
He also introduces some revolutionary ideas to London retail: Make the customers feel comfortable. Put the merchandise out where they can see all their options. Be open and friendly. And, above all, make the store a showplace.
There are some serious financial snags, but when he seeks the help of the influential Lady Mae (Katherine Kelly), things get up and running.
He hires experienced people like senior staff members Mr. Grove (Tom Goodman-Hill) and Miss Mardle (Amanda Abbington) and financial director Mr. Crabb (Ron Cook) while also spotting budding talent in young shopgirl Agnes Towler (Aisling Loftus) and hiring young, more extravagant types like window dresser Henri Leclair (Gregory Fitoussi).
As for Selfridge himself, he's a showman and self-described huckster, an extravagant visionary who baffles (and sometimes frightens) his reserved British employees. But he's also a warm, good-hearted man who inspires real loyalty.
He's also a doting father, son and husband, but though he adores his wife, Rose (Frances O'Connor), he can't seem to stay faithful.
The series follows Selfridge, his store and employees over the course of 20 years.
How is it? Frothy, fun, dramatic at times. It's definitely soapy, with all the mysteries, affairs, tragedies and scheming going on. But it's also got enough comedy to keep things from getting too heavy. For Downton Abbey fans, this makes a good alternate series to dive into.
The sets and costumes are worth watching for alone, but the acting and characters are also engaging, which keeps it from being just eye candy.
Extras? Each season has a behind-the-scenes feature on characters and design for the show and there are a couple of shorter bits on the female characters and the real Selfridge and an interview with Piven.
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Style on 11/13/2016