HOLLYWOOD SPY EXCLUSIVE SPOTLIGHT ON ITV'S PERIOD SERIES "MR. SELFRIDGES" WITH JEREMY PIVEN, FRANCES O'CONNOR, KATHERINE KELLY ON THE EARLY DAYS OF FAMOUS BRITISH STORE

You've probably noticed how TV companies love to make rival projects, and this is especially visible in UK. BBC and ITV recent rival projects on similar topics were DOWNTON ABBEY vs UPSTAIRS DOWN- STAIRS, and you remember a while ago when I spotlighted BBC mini series THE PARADISE set in the first English department store, how I told you that ITV is preparing a counterstrike in the form of MR. SELFRIDGES series. Well, that show is finally about to hit the small screens and will try to steal the success of THE PARADISE which was rather popular among the viewers.

THE STORY & THE CAST

The story of ITV's new period series will be set in Selfridges department store at the start of the 20th Century and will try to depict a time of decadence, female empowerment and shopping. TV star Jeremy  

Piven portrays Harry Selfridge, the maverick American businessman who founded the landmark Oxford Street store and reinvented the concept of shopping for Edwardian-era women. His mission was to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Pioneering and reckless, with an

almost manic energy, he created a theatre of retail where any topic or trend that was new, exciting, entertaining - or sometimes just eccentric - was showcased. After shipping his wife Rose (Frances O'Connor) and children over to British shores while he runs his store, Harry crosses paths with glamorous stage entertainer Ellen Love whose alluring

 looks make her the chosen face of Selfridges. Busy at work within the lavish department store are business-minded shop assistant Agnes (Aisling Loftus), flamboyant creative director and early-day Don Draper, Henri Leclair (Grégory Fitoussi), trusted chief of staff Mr Grove (Tom Goodman-Hill) and confident head of accessories, Miss 

Mardle (Amanda Abbington). Meanwhile Harry is busy making important connections to increase his standing in British society – namely in the form of Lady Mae (Katherine Kelly) - a powerful socialite whose connections prove vital in building the Selfridges empire and who will become his financial backer and his muse.

MR. SELFRIDGES TIDBITS

The series starts airing today, Sunday January 6th over in UK at ITV, while its life over on American small screens will start in March at PBS 

Masterpiece.The creator of the show is Andrew Davies, Emmy and Bafta winning writer who is known for his adaptations of period novels such as PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, VANITY FAIR, MIDDLEMARCH, SENSE AND SENSEBILITY. Through the innovations & spectacular

events Harry Selfridge staged within the store, the stories will shine a light on hidden moments of the history of women, be it fashion, cosmetics, technology or domestic affairs! Something for the ladies, while their gents watch GAME OF THRONES.