- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
Now that the genteel Paradise has temporarily closed its doors over on BBC1, you’d think a glamorous period drama about Oxford Street’s famous department store would be just the sort of retail therapy we need. Yet, despite the sumptuous settings and glorious costumes, perhaps this is too similar to The Paradise to be a truly satisfying replacement. Or maybe we just need time to get used to its comparative brashness.
In the second episode the store is struggling to attract customers, so the ever-exuberant Harry Gordon Selfridge (does he ever do anything quietly?) comes up with a spectacular idea to pull them in. Unfortunately his, shall we say, zest for life results in him being caught in a compromising situation with Ellen and leads to an uncharacteristic moment of self-doubt.
About this programme
2/10. The store has been open for a few months, the displays are dazzling and the staff are as eager as they were on opening day - but customers are few and far between. In an attempt to attract business, Harry arranges a meeting with French aviator Louis Bleriot - the first man to fly across the English Channel - hoping to exhibit his plane inside Selfridges. The event is a huge success, drawing in crowds of shoppers, but the retail magnate's sense of victory is short-lived. First, Lady Mae turns up to remind him how much he is in her debt. Then, he's caught in a compromising situation in Ellen's dressing room. Drama, starring Jeremy Piven, Katherine Kelly and Zoe Tapper.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Harry Selfridge
- Jeremy Piven
- Rose Selfridge
- Frances O'Connor
- Lady Mae
- Katherine Kelly
- Ellen Love
- Zoe Tapper
- Frank Edwards
- Samuel West
- Bleriot
- Orlando Seale
- Henri Leclair
- Gregory Fitoussi
- Roddy
- Oliver Jackson-Cohen
- Agnes
- Aisling Loftus
- Reg Towler
- Nick Moran
- George Towler
- Calum Callaghan
- Mr Grove
- Tom Goodman-Hill
- Miss Mardle
- Amanda Abbington
- Mr Crabb
- Ron Cook
- Lois Selfridge
- Kika Markham
- Victor
- Trystan Gravelle
- Mrs Worthington
- Angeline Ball
- Kitty
- Amy Beth Hayes
- Doris
- Lauren Crace
- Alf
- Christian Patterson
- Sam
- Alexander Cobb
- Miss Blenkinsop
- Deborah Cornelius
- Miss Bunting
- Pippa Haywood
- Tony Travers
- Will Payne
- Fraser
- Malcolm Rennie
- Rosalie Selfridge
- Poppy Lee Friar
- Violette Selfridge
- Freya Wilson
- Gordon Selfridge
- Adam Wilson
- Beatrice Selfridge
- Raffey Cassidy
- Mr Perez
- Timothy Watson
- Mabel
- Sophie May Wake
- Nancy
- Nicola Millbank
Crew
- Director
- Jon Jones
- Executive Producer
- Kate Lewis
- Executive Producer
- Andrew Davies
- Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton
- Producer
- Chrissy Skinns
- Producer
- Jeremy Piven
- Producer
- Carmel Maloney
- Writer
- Andrew Davies
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