Harry Price: Ghost Hunter ProducCon Notes

Harry Price: Informa(on strictly embargoed un(l Ghost H
unter Informa(on strictly embargoed 0001hrs, 22 December 2015 un(l 0001hrs, 22 December 2015 Produc3on Notes Contents Press Release 3 -­‐ 4 Introduc(on by Kate Lewis (execu(ve producer) 5 -­‐ 6
Interview with Jeremy Piven (Harry Selfridge)
7 -­‐ 10 Interview with Katherine Kelly (Lady Mae)
11 -­‐ 13 Interview with Sacha Dhawan (Jimmy Dillon)
14 -­‐ 16 Interview with Emma Hamilton (Rosie Dolly)
17 -­‐ 18 Interview with Zoe Richards (Jenny Dolly)
19 -­‐ 21 Episode synopses
Cast and Produc(on credits
22 -­‐ 24 25 -­‐ 17 The fourth series of Mr Selfridge returns to ITV starring Jeremy Piven and Katherine Kelly Award winning American actor, Jeremy Piven stars in ten new episodes in the fourth and final series of ITV Studios’ lavish period drama. Jeremy Piven (Entourage) reprises his role as the colourful but deeply troubled Harry Selfridge and ITV is pleased to confirm that Katherine Kelly (Corona+on Street) returns as the alluring socialite, Lady Mae. Series regulars Tom Goodman-­‐Hill, Ron Cook, Amanda Abbington, Amy Beth Hayes and Trystan Gravelle, Sacha Parkinson and Samuel West also return to tell the next chapter in the stories of their much loved characters. Joining the cast this series are Sacha Dhawan (Line of Duty, Not Safe For Work), who plays Jimmy Dillon, an ambi(ous entrepreneur, newcomers Lo^e Tolhurst who plays Mr Grove’s eldest daughter Meryl and Mimi Ndiweni who will play Tilly Brockless, a new employee at Selfridges. Emma Hamilton (The Tudors, Poirot: Dead Mans Folly) and Zoe Richards (How To Become A Criminal Mastermind) have also been cast to play the infamous Dolly Sisters. Harry Selfridge became beso`ed with the Dolly’s, the sensa(onal, ground-­‐breaking performers of their era, who were contributors in his fall from grace. The drama is inspired by the turbulent life of charisma(c American retail entrepreneur, Harry Gordon Selfridge. This fourth and final series focuses on his drama(c fall as he loses hold on the empire and social status that he worked so hard to create. Helen Raynor (Baker Boys, Doctor Who) is the lead writer working alongside Kate O’Riordan (The Bad Mother’s Handbook, The Kindness of Strangers), James Payne, Ma` Jones, Hamish Wright and new writer, Ben Morris. Lindy Woodhead, author of Shopping, Seduc+on and Mr Selfridge, the book that inspired the series, con(nues in her role as advisor on retail history. Filming took place on loca(on in Greater London on the lavish replica of the Selfridge’s shop floor that is housed in a former carpet warehouse in North West London. Dominic Barlow (The Mill, The Crash, Garrow’s Law) returns as Series Producer and ITV Studios’ Kate Lewis (LighMields, Vera, Marchlands) execu(ve produces alongside the lead writer, Helen Raynor. Rebecca Eaton execu(ve produces for WGBH. The new series was commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea. Mr Selfridge is distributed interna(onally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment and has now been sold to over 150 countries. Press Contacts Jo Blanket, jo.blanket@itv.com, 020 7157 3011 Picture Contact Patrick Smith, patrick.smith@itv.com, 020 7157 3044 Introduc3on Kate Lewis, execu3ve producer The fourth and final series of Mr Selfridge jumps forward to 1928. There’s an atmosphere of reckless abandon as the Bright Young Things dance close to the flame whilst the storm clouds of the Great Depression gather over London. From the very outset, the show’s creator, Andrew Davies, planned an epic trajectory for Harry Selfridge to play out over four series. Having read Lindy Woodhead’s brilliant book, Shopping Seduc+on & Mr Selfridge, he was fascinated by how a man could build an empire from nothing, become one of the richest and most glamorous figures in London society and then gamble it all away. Andrew talked about Harry displaying what Edgar Allan Poe called ‘the imp of the perverse’ as he was never happy but constantly driven to push things over the edge. For all his inspira(onal vision and vitality, Harry was a self-­‐destruc(ve man who burned fast and bright. And it was this ambi(ous and richly textured vision for his character that ini(ally drew Emmy-­‐award winning actor, Jeremy Piven, to the role. It has been inspiring to see the passion with which Jeremy has approached this emo(onal final chapter of Harry’s story. Fans of the show, and of Jeremy, have a real treat in store for them. As ever, the story is as much about the trials and tribula(ons at the store as it is about Harry’s rocky personal life. And central to this story in our final series is Lady Mae (Katherine Kelly), now Madame Mae Rennard, who returns from Paris to Harry’s side and to the centre of the ac(on. Katherine Kelly took (me off to have a baby during series three. Sorely missed by the audience and the produc(on team alike, we were absolutely thrilled when she agreed to come back. There has always been a great chemistry between the characters of Mae and Harry and we felt there was tons more to explore between them. Mae is Harry’s one true friend but as events spiral out of control, the responsibility to help him begins to weigh heavily upon her. Loyal Mr Selfridge fans will be rewarded with resolu(ons to the stories of our other much-­‐loved series characters. There are some sad departures and happy reunions to come – and a few big surprises! We follow the last heart-­‐wrenching hurdle in the love story between Mr Grove (Tom Goodman-­‐Hill) and Miss Mardle (Amanda Abbington); we follow Ki`y (Amy Beth Hayes) as she struggles to balance the demands of being a career woman and wife to Frank Edwards (Samuel West); and we discover whether Harry’s excesses will finally push the ever loyal Mr Crabb (Ron Cook) over the edge. Also central to the story this year is Harry’s son, Gordon Selfridge (Greg Aus(n), who rises up the ranks of the store as his rela(onship with his father becomes increasingly troubled. As our audience has come to expect, we introduce some exci(ng new characters to s(r things up. Jimmy Dillon (Line of Duty’s Sacha Dhawan) arrives on the scene as an ambi(ous young Asian businessman who introduces Harry to some high gain but high risk new business ventures. Also new to the scene is powerful newspaper magnate, Lord Wynnstay (Dr Foster’s Robert Pugh), who Harry struggles to keep on side as the rest of the press begin to turn on him. Jumping forward to 1928 has allowed us to boldly ring the changes for this final series. The show is richer, more glamorous and the cas(ng and story more diverse than it has ever been, but it’s also arres(ngly modern. I was struck whilst looking back at footage from series one recently, just how Introduc3on Kate Lewis con3nued far the look and feel of the series has evolved and what a unique opportunity this show has afforded our crea(ve team to evolve the design. Series Producer, Dominic Barlow, has a`racted back to the produc(on some of the most talented crew in the industry. BAFTA award-­‐winning produc(on designer, Candida O`on, has achieved a bold new Art Deco look for the store, and BAFTA award-­‐winning costume designer, James Keast, has designed the most decadent, rich & fluid look for our characters to date. New to the team is talented make up ar(st, Erika Ökvist, who has managed the impossible task of ageing the cast whilst also making them more glamorous than they have ever looked. And our arrival into the Jazz era has afforded our award-­‐winning series composer, Charlie Mole, the opportunity to develop a spectacular new score buzzing with the sounds of the smoky London nightclubs through which our characters move. It’s a challenge to tell a business story on mainstream television, to get an audience to care about the fate of a shop. But I’ve never really thought of Mr Selfridge as being a show about shopping. The store has always felt to me like a delighpully entertaining and colourful se^ng and a prism through which we can explore a fascina(ng period in history and tell strongly engaging and emo(onal stories. Ul(mately, Mr Selfridge works on a basic human level because, at its heart, it’s the story about a man who searches for happiness in all the wrong places. I hope that our loyal fans -­‐ and newcomers who have caught up with the show on Neplix (UK and Europe) or Amazon Prime (US) -­‐ will all be engaged with this final chapter of Harry’s life. I hope that they’ll be cheering Harry on in his successes and be moved by his very human failings. Cast interviews Jeremy Piven is Harry Selfridge At the end of series three we leJ Harry with his life unravelling. Can you tell us where we find him at the start of this series? We begin the fourth season with Harry pu^ng all his efforts into work and of course, quite a bit of play too. I think arer Harry was ler burnt and heartbroken from finding out his fiancée was a con-­‐
woman, he feels that love is dead, he feels very unlucky and that there’s no hope. He normally keeps himself very busy with work and now even more so, he seems to have doubled his efforts in both work and play and it’s even more of a focus. Can you tell us what we can expect from this series? We open up towards the la`er end of the roaring 20s, it seemed like the most exci(ng (me to be around. I absolutely love the fashion; I think the style was incredible. People were really enjoying themselves; they’d all been through very dark (mes having survived the First World War and the Spanish Flu outbreak. It’s a great (me to be alive and that’s where we begin the fourth series and it’s a wonderful place to tell our final chapter. One of the things I love the most about the show is that whilst it’s based on a true story, you never really guess where the drama is heading. For instance, you don’t see Lady Mae coming back at all and, well, I can’t tell you what else, that would be a massive spoiler! I love this season the most and I know I have said that every year but it really does just keep ge^ng be`er. Everything we’ve seen and been working towards on this Mr Selfridge journey is coming through in this season and coming to a close. In my opinion, what makes Bri(sh Drama the best is that it doesn’t burn it’s steps, it takes its (me telling the story, plays with pace and has fun with it. In the fourth series it’s as if it’s the same show but different at the same (me. It’s been an incredible ride for me and I’m s(ll shaking my head thinking back over the last four years because it has exceeded my expecta(ons on every level. Cast interviews Jeremy Piven interview con3nued: Katherine Kelly has returned to the show. What can you tell us about her story this series? It’s incredible to have Katherine back, she is such a brilliant actress and she is a joy to work with; her presence and energy was missed on the show. It’s so much fun to work alongside her, she carries any scene with such elegance and I really do consider her to be a very close friend of mine. Mae has been through a lot; she’s now divorced for a second (me and fallen upon financial hardship. She has ler Paris and visits Harry to tell him that she wants to sell her shares in Selfridges and disappear. Harry doesn’t want this to happen, he’s so happy to see her and wants his old friend back, he’s missed her. He feels that good, true, honest friends are hard to come by and she’s one of them. They are cut from the same cloth, she’s a female version of him; Mae was ahead of her (me, a very self-­‐empowered woman. Harry declines her request to sell her shares and offers her a job designing her own ready to wear fashion line in the store (she ran her own fashion house in Paris). So yes, she’s back, been through a lot and ready to move onto the next stage of her life. Mae was the first person that helped Harry out when he arrived in London, she had his back and now he has hers. There are two new ladies in Harry’s life – The Dolly sisters. Can you give us some insight to the story? Harry lives such a full, brilliant and tragic life and in the last chapter he ran into the force that was the Dolly sisters. To Harry, they represented youth, vitality, being alive and seizing the moment. They had this kind of beau(ful carefree a^tude that Harry loved to be around. It’s well documented that he spent millions on them – showering them with diamonds and paying for their gambling habits, he was their bank and it was one of the factors that financially ruined him. He had the (me of his life with them and of course the press have a field day with him and he becomes an even more dangerous en(ty professionally than he was before. Everyone around him seems to see this big downfall coming and it causes a lot fric(on with his co-­‐
workers and more so with his family that are trying to hold it together for him. This is another thing that the show does so well, even though you may feel Harry is doing the wrong thing, you enjoy the ride and can see why he par(cipates. In this par(cular case, he’s having the (me of his life but it does all come crashing down on him; lessons are learnt and it is the beginning of the end. It always seems that Harry feels the need to buy affec3on even though he is rich, successful and handsome. Why do you think he felt the need to lavish women with giJs, when he could have just wowed them with his personality? Indeed! He built this incredible palace for people to be whoever they wanted to be and he really loved being the host. He cared deeply for people and took such good care of everyone around him and mostly let his heart rule his head. Its part of that American spirit, to over indulge, give uncondi(onally and in Harry’s case recklessly. Harry always sees the best in people and ul(mately that made him an easy target for people to take advantage of his good nature; he wore his heart on his sleeve. Cast interviews Jeremy Piven interview con3nued: How do Harry’s bad business decisions affect his rela3onship with Gordon? Harry’s son Gordon has become quite a savvy businessman. Harry hasn’t even fully no(ced because along the journey he wasn’t quite the professional force that he had hoped he would be. Gordon is as bit of a late bloomer compared to Harry and he now has to be the adult in the rela(onship while Harry is running around gambling and spending money – money borrowed from the store. Gordon is ler to hold it together and has to make some really tough choices; it gives me chills talking about it as it really did happen. The dynamic of the family is heart breaking because it’s everything to him but yet he can’t surpress certain bad habits that he has. He truly loves it all, but in this par(cular case, he can’t have it. Jimmy Dillon is another new character that’s introduced to the show. What can you tell us about him and the rela3onship that ensues? Jimmy Dillon is a young, slick entrepreneur and has a very strong impact on Harry. I think Jimmy represents the son that he wanted Gordon to be in terms of a very sharp, innova(ve, risk taker. Sasha Dhawan who plays Jimmy is an impeccable actor and it was a blast to work with him. Gordon isn’t happy with Jimmy appearing on the scene; it's pre`y obvious that Harry is really wowed by Jimmy and that he’s taken him under his wing. Jimmy’s Indian heritage has meant that he’s been looked down upon and thought of as an outsider. Harry Selfridge embraces everyone no ma`er what background or culture they come from and celebrates anyone that wanted to put in a good, hard days work. The show addresses this with another character, a young black, seamstress called Tilly Brockless. Harry is only too happy to take her in and give her a job when anyone else would have balked at the idea. What will you miss most about playing Harry? There’s so much of it that I’ll miss, he was just a very loving, complex, tragic guy. It was so much fun and challenging to play him and I’ll never forget it, I’ll really miss all of it. My background is very different to the other cast members I was working alongside and I think that really worked. I think that the energies we all have bounced off each other, we fit together really nicely and its something I’m very proud of. If there’s something you’ll take back to America from working in the UK for four years, what do you think it would be? There is so much, it felt like a graduate programme for me in ac(ng that I’ll never forget it and will be eternally grateful for it. We all work so differently and I’ve learnt so much just from the choices people made. Everyone that I worked with made me raise my game and that’s something that will stay with me forever. Cast interviews Jeremy Piven interview con3nued: So once Mr Selfridge has finished, is there any chance of us Brits geVng you to stay here?! Oh, I would love to and I’d love to work on the stage that would be incredible. My mother and sister came to visit me in London and we went to see Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch. We had an incredible (me; my mother is a director, teacher and actress and crazy for Shakespeare, it was a real thrill for all of us. So yes, maybe my next trip back will be to get up on stage. Cast interviews Katherine Kelly is Lady Mae You’re back! How happy are you to be back and was it always the plan to return for the fourth and final series? Of course, I’m delighted to be back! It’s a total bonus that I am; it was never something that was set in stone. I always wanted to return but I was unsure whether there would be a place for Lady Mae. When I came back it felt like a fresh new job in many ways, that’s one of the great things about this show, it seems to renew itself every year. When I was first told of the storylines and the plans for Mae I absolutely loved it all and couldn’t wait to get started. This role has definitely been everything that I’d hoped for and more. She’s like a different character in many ways but also s(ll very much the same. Mae seemed to be born ahead of her (me, but as the years have moved on, the world seems to be catching up to her! She has always had a good head on her shoulders and I think, in different (mes, her and Harry would have been business partners or business rivals, and that’s the reason she and Harry get on so well. In the first few series, women couldn’t even vote or work so the only real way to be`er yourself was to marry and that’s what Mae did. In this series, the war was over, women were allowed to work and in many ways, she finally found her calling. Is it lovely to be reunited with Jeremy and the rest of the cast? Yes it’s so nice. It’s strange though, a lot of the people I ini(ally worked with like Aiden McArdle who played Lord Loxley and Frances O’Connor who played Rose Selfridge aren’t here anymore, but I do s(ll see them socially which is lovely. It’s great to be working with Trystan who plays Victor Colleano again as I didn’t really work with him much during the second series and it’s always so fun to work with him. It goes without saying that it’s an absolute pleasure to work with Jeremy. I find him so fascina(ng and we’ve become very good friends. Cast interviews Katherine Kelly interview con3nued: Twenty years have elapsed since the series started and we first met Mae. Can you tell us how she’s changed since then? When we first met her she seemed to be the of leader of the pack, was at the top of the tree in society terms which was why Harry and she became associated; she helped him a`ract women from her class to shop at the store. Whilst externally she looked like she was in control, in series two we found out that she was in a loveless marriage and not as happy as she seemed. I don’t think she realised how restric(ng that social circle was as she always had to watch what she was saying and be seen in the right places. Series four is the first (me we get to see the real Mae; it’s not that she’s ever shied away from this, but society has changed and allowed her to be freer. Can you tell us how she returns to the series and how her storyline develops? Mae hadn’t seen Harry for years and she returns to London to sell her shares; her recent divorce has ler her penniless. She lived in Paris for such a long (me and she feels that there is nothing ler in London for her and Harry works very hard to convince her to stay. Mae was running a fashion house in Paris, and as we know, she has a penchant for clothes and shopping. Harry asks her to stay and create a department for a ready to wear range in Selfridges, which is another first for the store. On some level I think Harry knows he’s on a downward spiral and he wants someone close by that really knows him. It’s not that she keeps him in check, because she really doesn’t – she’s very similar to him when it boils down to it. His wife’s gone, his children have grown up and he feels like he’s spiralling out of control. I think that’s why he’s so desperate for Mae to stay; she’s an old friend that understands him. Are there any similari3es between yourself and Mae? I admire the fact that she doesn’t spend a lot of (me thinking about what other people think of her and I’d say we’re quite similar like that. What someone else thinks of me isn’t any of my business so I try not to dwell on it. There’s always going to be people that don’t like you and there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t win ‘em all, as my Dad would say. I like that Mae doesn’t run with the pack which I also don’t do, never have done and I’ve always been encouraged not to. Just because everybody else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to do it. Mae s(cks to her own path. She’s a hard worker and she’s really enjoying work and of course, it goes without saying that I love my work too and work hard at it. I’d say that we have more similari(es in this series than previous years. As it’s the late 20s and the opportuni(es for women are more abundant we’ve become more aligned with each other. Cast interviews Katherine Kelly interview con3nued: Can you tell us about Mae’s ouYits this series? It’s amazing as I don’t have to wear any corsets. I absolutely hated them and I’m not ashamed to say it! It’s so much easier this series as there are no pe^coats and corsets – pu^ng them on was so (me consuming and so uncomfortable. So for me, its perfect, I love the fact that you can literally just throw on an oupit – nice and low maintenance. I’m lucky enough to experience wearing both daywear and glamorous evening wear so I’ve nailed it in the wardrobe department. Does it make you feel sad that the series is coming to end? To be honest, I’m excited. To me, that was always the appealing aspect about this show. From day one the show knew that it was going to tell the story of Harry from the beginning, middle to the end. I think that’s so refreshing in this day and age, normally you find out that it’s the last series once it’s already aired. Ar(s(cally it’s very sa(sfying because it feels more like a theatre produc(on and there has been no holding back. Finally, can you tell us what you got in the pipeline aJer Mr Selfridge? I’m very excited to be part of the second series of Happy Valley. It’ll be nice to do something modern, contemporary, and in my own accent! Cast interviews Sacha Dhawan is Jimmy Dillon Can you explain who Jimmy Dillon is? Jimmy is a young entrepreneur with big ideas and vision but his story is quite complex. His father was a prince but his mother had a more modest background; they were very wealthy as they lived as royals. His father passed away when Jimmy was young so his mother and him were stripped of everything. They had no money whatsoever and he had to work his way up again from scratch that is a very similar story to Harry’s. Jimmy didn’t really have a father figure because his father passed away when he was so young; Harry replaces that void, in a way. Jimmy has his fingers in a lot of pies; he does so many deals and wants to make as much money as possible and Harry takes him under his wing and they do genuinely care about each other. What drew you to the role of Jimmy? I’m so happy to be involved in the series, especially this part of Harry Selfridge’s story. My character is an ins(gator in his drama(c decline so it’s really exci(ng. You don’t get to see many Indian actors in period dramas so I was really drawn to the fact that this series is set around the late 20s, and it’s such a brilliant area to explore. What’s also amazing is that even though the character is Anglo-­‐Indian he gets to sit on the big boys table with all the main characters and isn’t just serving tea! Jimmy is a very suave and switched on character, he ins(gates a lot of big changes that happen within Selfridge’s and befriends the leading man in the show; I mean what is there not to enjoy and jump at the opportunity. Cast interviews Sacha Dhawan interview con3nued: How are we first introduced to your character? We first meet him at Colleano’s where he is promo(ng a big boxing match. Jimmy is desperate to work with Harry and goes about ge^ng his a`en(on in a different way. Jimmy wants to gain his a`en(on by having a bit of an a^tude, being very full of himself and wan(ng Harry to think ‘who is this guy; he’s young, he’s got all the girls around him, I want to be him’. Jimmy wants to challenge him and make him sit up and take no(ce. So for Jimmy, is it all about making money quickly? Yes to an extent. The likes of Jimmy and the Dolly sisters reflect a new young genera(on in the 1920s, they came along and flipped things on their head, whether it be in the fashion stakes or business sense. Jimmy loves the buzz of quick deals, making money as fast as he can and moving onto the next venture. It’s a very dangerous way of opera(ng but exci(ng, it can only lead to disaster and he’s not just risking his own capital. Are you a fan of period drama? And what do you think the appeal is for the viewer? I am a huge fan of period drama, I love playing it and I love the era and I love the fashion. I think it is appealing to audiences as it’s a break from normality and a form of escapism. I hope that the audience are really going to love that this series is set in the 1920s, it’s full of opulence and colour but with twists of darkness in the storylines. It is going to look amazing but the audience will get caught up in the drama between Harry and Jimmy, it will be intense and fast moving; exactly what a period drama requires! You men3oned that you love the era and fashion, do you get to wear some stylish suits in the series? Yes! It is so nice and it was one of the other reasons I wanted to take part in the show. I love taking on projects that flip the last job I worked on on its head. My last character was a drug addict who never washed his suits, was very dirty and never turned up for work and now I’m playing a really clean cut, sharp and very clever character, it’s so fun! The costumes that Jimmy wears are stunning and are tailor made for me, how amazing is that? The costume designer, James, who’s worked on Mr Selfridge since the beginning, is a genius and he’s done a phenomenal job. Have you been in Selfridge’s since you started working on the series? I have actually, I love walking around the store, looking at the products and just taking in the surroundings and it’s a real experience. Selfridges, then and now, lead the way in shopping and I feel very lucky to be part of it in a very small way. Cast interviews Sacha Dhawan interview con3nued: Have you done any research on the real story of Harry Selfridge? Yes I did and my character is actually loosely based on a real person but I didn’t want my judgement to get clouded and wanted portray my own version of Jimmy. The producers were very suppor(ve of allowing me to do this, which was great. If you could sum up the series in 3 words what would they be? I would say opulent, imagina(ve and ambi(ous. Cast interviews Emma Hamilton is Rosie Dolly Are you pleased to be part of Mr Selfridge? I have been a big fan of the show for years. It has been fantas(c to meet everyone and work with them over the past few months it’s one of the happiest sets I have ever been lucky enough to work on. Are you a fan of period drama? I’ve always been an admirer of period dramas; I think they appeal to a viewer as you can step into another (me or another world. I have enjoyed indulging in the decadence of the 20s that’s for sure. What drew you to the role of Rosie Dolly? Rosie Dolly wears a lot of masks and is perhaps more calcula(ng than her sister but she hides it well, most of the (me. I’m a bit of an introverted person so playing a showgirl like Rosie brings me right out of my comfort zone. I love her and she is far more daring I think than I could ever be. Do you think any of her personality has rubbed of on you? [Laughs] I hope so! Can you tell us how we are introduced to your character Rosie Dolly? In the first couple of episodes the Dolly sisters are introduced with a bang. They were ground breaking global performers of their era and Rosie definitely takes a shine to Harry. In many ways they seem to be kindred spirits. Rosie loves the lavish lifestyle and the rush of adrenaline that comes with risk and the glare of the spotlight and she has absolutely no plans to let it go. Cast interviews Emma Hamilton interview con3nued: Were you aware of the history of your character beforehand? The story behind them is incredible. I had heard of them, my grandmother used to say you were ‘dressed up like a Dolly’ but it was only un(l I began my research that I became more aware of just how enormous they were at the (me. They were sensa(onal and risqué and they challenged the status quo with their style and energy. They gambled, they took lovers and travelled the world, they lived it large and it is thrilling to play such an iconic woman. Can you tell us briefly how Rosie’s storyline develops throughout the series? Rosie takes a shine to Harry and their rela(onship deepens. As Harry and Rosie become more involved, she takes greater liber(es with him and his money, which ul(mately puts a strain on their rela(onship. There seems to be a real rivalry between Rosie and her sister Jenny. Do you think it is the case of sibling rivalry or do you think that it somehow goes deeper? I think there is a fair amount of normal sibling rivalry but the two of them worked together, played together and frequently loved together in more ways than one! I think the story deals with the sisters at a point in their career where the (mes are changing and they are facing a possible decline in their popularity as the world moves forwards; silent movies give way to talking pictures and the old glamour doesn’t necessarily appeal to the new age and I think some the pressure that they are feeling bleeds into their rela(onship. Have you worked closely with Zoe on your characteris3cs because you are playing twins? Yes! Zoe and I did a li`le research before we got started by going out on the town together and we went to a casino to learn how to play baccarat. But essen(ally we owe everything to James Keast (Costume Designer) and Erika Ökvist (Hair and Make Up Designer), who have done an incredible job making us look as similar as possible. In terms of personality, Jenny and Rosie are quite different and that will hopefully become apparent as the series progresses. What do you think of the costumes and the hair and make up? Hair and makeup takes about an hour and a half every morning. The costumes are fantas(c; my favourite was a dress I wore during a scene with Harry at the club. It was a black, silk velvet original piece and was a genuine an(que. I think it was part of James’s private collec(on, I’ve heard he has an extensive collec(on of vintage garments. It was magical to wear. What else do you have coming up aJer Mr Selfridges finishes? I’m going to work in Australia for a short amount of (me to film a new programme for Channel 10 called ‘Mary, The Making of a Princess’. I will be playing Mary and I’m really looking forward to it. Cast interviews Zoe Richards is Jenny Dolly How did you feel when you were offered a role in Mr Selfridge? I was thrilled, especially because I’m a fan of the shop. I’d always experience a magical feeling going in the store, as it’s a real event to go shopping in Selfridges, par(cularly on special occasions, like Christmas (me, so it had a place in my psyche. I was excited about playing Jenny and had a real affinity with her immediately. When I was approached about it I got bu`erflies in my stomach and that hasn’t gone away. There seems to be a real rivalry between Jenny and her sister. Do you think it is the case of normal sibling rivalry or do you think it goes deeper in some way? There’s certainly a lot of rivalry between Jenny and Rosie. There’s a moment where they both have their own shows on at the same (me in London, which causes fric(on. In the series you really get to see the compe((veness between the sisters. Having a sister of my own I understand the rela(onship -­‐ you might have moments of rivalry, but there’s always an overwhelming bond between two sisters which almost allows you to be even worse to each other than you would be to a friend, knowing that you will always love each other regardless. I recognise that from the outside looking in it could look like a capight, but for the Dolly sisters having grown up together and having shared everything, they would have been very used to burying the hatchet and moving onto the next job and their bond was what made them so sellable. It was not just a rela(onship but also a brand they had to capitalise on. Without one, the other one wouldn’t have had that career. Cast interviews Zoe Richards interview con3nued: The Dolly sisters have got such a fascina3ng story. Did you partake in any research? I have researched and fallen in love with both girls. It’s a gorgeous story and I guess it’s really a love affair between two sisters. Their story is ul(mately tragic because Rosie con(nued living without Jenny arer she commi`ed suicide. Rosie tried to commit suicide years later and eventually died from a heart a`ack, which I believe was caused by a broken heart. I really wanted to do them jus(ce, as there is a definite risk of portraying them in a bad light because they are the infamous Dolly sisters who were responsible for Harry’s downfall. I wanted to ensure people saw there was more to them than just that. The research I did, prac(cal research, aside from the history like the chronology of it, was going and learning to play baccarat with my on screen sister, Emma, at the Hippodrome in London. We decided to dress up and go kind of in character, but not in complete character, so not as sisters but as two nicely dressed ladies with diamantes bracelets that Emma brought us. We sat at a table and put our chips and money down. We placed our bets and I started winning every (me. It was like in reality; Jenny was the one who kept succeeding, so I got on a lucky streak the first (me playing! In total we won about £300 but then lost it and walked away with £5! What drew you to the role ini3ally? I saw quite early on that there was a real vulnerability to Jenny, which I didn’t see so much in Rosie’s character, who was wri`en more as the dominant sister. There was a real focus on the emo(onal complexity of Jenny, which for an actress is thrilling because you get to really experience heightened emo(ons whether it’s sadness or happiness. They had high highs and low lows. The sisters were dancing in musicals from the age of 12 to drunken men and people gambling. They really got under the skin of the masculine world at the (me and they conquered it. They carved out this amazing life and success and they became the first movie stars. You couldn’t be more gli`ering or sparkling than that, which is what I experienced on set with the costumes and make-­‐up. We get to have the most fabulous costumes and hair and make-­‐up. What was it like being dressed for the 1920s? Everything we have worn has been handmade, purposefully designed for us and made to measure, which in itself is exci(ng. I love going into fi^ngs and then seeing the oupit develop. Even though we aren’t iden(cal, we s(ll look iden(cal ini(ally just by the colour and shape of the oupits. It takes about an hour to get our make-­‐up done and we have wigs that are already set. The wigs have been outstanding and each oupit we get has a different hairdo, it’s amazing! The make-­‐up is very detailed. They gave me the shape of Emma’s eyebrows and Emma has been given the shape of my eyes to make us look more similar. From the very beginning we had make-­‐
up tests and fi^ngs together. Even though we might not have the same body shape or features, they adapted what they were doing with the costumes to make it look similar on both of us. Cast interviews Zoe Richards interview con3nued: Have you got a favourite ouYit? My favourite oupit is one of the evening dresses. We’ve got our day wear and then we’ve got our evening dresses – the dress I loved the most was bright fuchsia pink. It was embroidered with gorgeous beads all over it and then a fishtail made of chiffon. It was very sparkly and I wore it for a scene when Jenny had to dance on the back of a baccarat table for Mr Selfridge. During that scene I had to do a fall in the dance; I used to be a member of a breakdancing troop at university so that was helpful. I managed to do the fall on top of the table in the dress and in high heels! So got a li`le bit of breakdancing in there and I think that dress was probably my favourite. You’ve talked about having your hair and make-­‐up done to look like Emma but have you had to work closely with her to get your characteris3cs more in tune with each other? We were required to find poses which were mirror images of each other for entrances such as ge^ng out of the old fashion car at the beginning of the series when we arrive at Colleano’s restaurant. We were given stage direc(ons in the script and we also had a choreography session before we had even started filming. Our first day filming was at the fashion show where the Dollys appear and do a dance number, so we had to have a dance ready. Spending that (me together really helped. Are you a fan of period drama? What do you think the appeal is? I am. I started with lots of Shakespeare when I was younger and mainly theatre, so I have a more theatrical background. I was in the Na(onal Youth Theatre and Manchester Youth Theatre and studied English at university, so it was always about stories and studying old texts. This is my first period drama but it’s what made me want to act as a child. I love the fact that this series is set in the 1920s with its glamour, glitz and more outrageous behaviour than ever before. I suppose its bringing history to life and allows the audience to get swept away with the storylines of the characters. Could you give us a brief outline as to how we are introduced on screen to the Dolly’s in the first episode? The Dolly sisters arrive in total style – si^ng in a classic car with the roof down. Jenny actually arrives in the back of the car on the hood, so when filming I was clinging on for dear life! We stand up and pose for the cameras as we enter Colleano’s, where there are more journalists asking us ques(ons. We draw Harry’s a`en(on in the first five minutes as we are obviously notable celebri(es of the (me already. Synopsis Episode one synopsis We open in 1928, nine years arer season three, we find Harry Selfridge at the pinnacle of his power and public celebrity – a retail giant at the heart of the roaring twen(es. A man-­‐about-­‐town in London and oren gambling glamorously abroad, rumours of Harry’s latest fling light up the social circuit at Victor Colleano’s new nightspot, which is bigger and more decadent than ever. This is a (me of rapid change and progress. A (me where nothing and nobody wants to stand s(ll and contemplate. Fashions and musical tastes are evolving. It is a new and modern world with the crackle of radio and exci(ng new technologies. The mood of London is dis(nctly ‘modern’. At home, Rosalie now has a daughter, Ta(ana, the apple of Harry’s eye. Harry’s mother Lois is as stoic and suppor(ve as ever. The lively Viole`e now lives in Paris. In store, Harry is set to unveil a new monument at the front of the store, the ‘Queen of Time’, an ornate and specially commissioned clock. New Head of Display Freddy Lyons is arranging the big unveiling, and Harry is op(mis(c about the posi(ve, las(ng legacy it represents. Mr Grove celebrates his birthday with best friend and colleague Mr Crabb, whilst Miss Mardle’s mysterious absence has clearly ler a big hole in Grove’s life. We meet Grove’s eldest daughter, Meryl, who is now nineteen. Vivacious and spirited, Meryl desperately wants to work at Selfridge’s – but Grove isn’t so sure it’s a good idea. Store favourite Ki`y Edwards is keen to show off her and Frank’s luxurious new abode – they’ve gone up in the world, again! She invites sister Connie and George for dinner. We discover that they are now married and divulge some news that gives Ki`y some serious food for thought. Harry’s son and heir to the Selfridge Empire, Gordon, is now happily married to Grace – with two young sons. We sense that a cool distance between father and son who now runs a slew of provincial department stores owned by Selfridge’s outside of London. Episode one synopsis con3nued: Gordon is irked when Harry stands him up for a rou(ne mee(ng, but it’s for a very good reason…
because Harry unexpectedly receives a very special visitor -­‐ Mae. She’s back! But Mae has returned to London hurt and humiliated. She reveals that her husband has ler her for a younger woman. Her marriage is over. Ever loyal, Harry resolves to help Mae like she helped him when he first came to London. But does she really want to start afresh in London? Later, at Colleano’s, Harry and Mae are among the privileged crowd that gathers to watch the spectacle: an exhibi(on-­‐boxing match between an American and a Bri(sh champion. Harry meets the man Victor arranged it all with, Jimmy Dillon. A sharp and confident entrepreneur, Jimmy takes a fancy to Mae but gets off on the wrong foot with a slightly defensive Harry. Meanwhile, Harry’s head is turned by the presence of stunning stage sirens the Dolly sisters, Jenny and Rosie – who clearly have their sights set on Harry. On the day of the unveiling of the ‘Queen of Time’, Harry is unnerved to discover that powerful newspaper magnate Lord Wynnstay might be si^ng on some uncomfortable stories about his family -­‐ which spells trouble ahead. Outside Selfridge’s, a band plays and the traffic stops for the grand unveiling, but a shocking incident occurs. Synopsis Episode two synopsis Arer the accident at the Queen of Time unveiling, a frustrated Harry is being forced to recuperate under his mother Lois’ caring, but watchful eye. It doesn’t take long before Harry’s absence is noted in the press, and when Gordon talks with a journalist, he unwi^ngly sparks sensa(onalist tabloid headlines about Harry’s advancing age. This stokes tension between Gordon and Harry, who becomes determined to prove that he is not over the hill yet. The formidable Mae has started work at the store, and is hiring for her new in-­‐store ‘ready to wear’ collec(on. Interviewing new machinists, one candidate catches her eye – Tilly Brockless. As a young, black, working class woman, Tilly stands out from the crowd, especially when Mae spots her chic custom-­‐made dress. Without references, Mae hires Tilly but Grove isn’t keen. Keen to quash any re(rement rumours, Harry returns to the store with his eyes on the future. He opens a new, cu^ng-­‐edge Technology Department. The Ground Floor is soon a hive of ac(vity, with vacuum cleaners buzzing, hair-­‐dryers whirring – the public marveling at domes(c, technological wonders of the future. Mae’s delighted to have Harry back, but is very unimpressed when he insists that the infamous Dolly Sisters model her new collec(on. Mae is proved right to be wary as chaos ensues. The news that Connie is pregnant is out, which prompts soul-­‐searching for Ki`y. Having chosen not to become a mother – a very unconven(onal, modern choice for 1928 – she turns to husband Frank for support. Mysterious entrepreneur Jimmy Dillon starts to make his mark. His easy charm, business success and youthful confidence catch Harry’s a`en(on. Harry sees himself in Jimmy, and we sense this is a start of a deepening friendship between them. Cast and Produc3on Credits Cast Credits Harry Selfridge JEREMY PIVEN Mae Rennard KATHERINE KELLY Miss Mardle
AMANDA ABBINGTON Mr Grove
TOM GOODMAN-­‐HILL Mr Crabb
RON COOK Victor Colleano TRYSTAN GRAVELLE Ki`y Edwards AMY BETH HAYES Frank Edwards SAMUEL WEST Gordon Selfridge
GREG AUSTIN Grace Selfridge AMY MORGAN George Towler CALUM CALLAGHAN Connie Towler SACHA PARKINSON Jimmy Dillon
SACHA DHAWAN Freddy Lyons SAM SWANN Tilly Brockless MIMI NDIWENI Rosalie Selfridge
KARA TOINTON Viole`e Selfridge
HANNAH TOINTON Lois Selfridge KIKA MARKHAM Jenny Dolly
ZOE RICHARDS Rosie Dolly
EMMA HAMILTON Miss Plunke` SADIE SHIMMIN Meryl Grove
LOTTIE TOLHURST Miss Ellis
RIA ZMITROWICZ Miss Crabb
WENDY NOTTINGHAM Miss Blenkinsop
DEBORAH CORNELIUS Fraser MALCOLM RENNIE Mr Keen
OLIVER DIMSDALE Lord Wynnstay ROBERT PUGH Croupier
GARETH PIERCE Alberta Hunter CYNTHIA ERIVO Cast and Produc3on Credits Cast Credits Journalist 1
SIMEON WILLIS Journalist 2
GARETH KIERAN JONES Joe Tooby
MITCHELL HUNT Photographer GRAEME MCKNIGHT Joyce LEILA CRERAR Prue
AMY DOLAN DAVID HOLT Matronly Woman
DENISE MACK Frank Whitely WILL TUDOR William Whitely BEN RIGHTON Joe Langford
BENTLEY KALU Selfridge’s Nurse
HEATHER BLEASDALE Elizabeth Arden MADELEINE POTTER Chris(an Herald Journalist
STEPHANIE JACOB Mrs Green
PRUE CLARKE Nun
SU DOUGLAS Felicity JOANNA BOBIN D’Anacona
VINCENT RIOTTA AA Milne
DANIEL BETTS Oswald Stone ROBERT MORGAN Bumby Wallace SAM ATTWATER Inspector McNeish
TOM MANNION Ta(ana De Bolotoff
ABIGAIL EAMES Ernest Grove
JOEY PRICE Ralph Selfridge BILLY BARRATT Oliver Selfridge DOMINIC WINN Alice Grove
ALLY GOLDBERG
Eleanor Grove FELICITY GRIMES Christopher Robin
LEONARDO DICKENS Presenter
Cast and Produc3on Credits Produc3on Credits Execu(ve Producer
KATE LEWIS Execu(ve Producer, Writer, episodes 1, 2 & 10 HELEN RAYNOR Co-­‐Execu(ve Producer, Writer, episodes 6 & 9 KATE O’RIORDAN Writer, episodes 3 & 8 MATT JONES Writer, episode 4
JAMES PAYNE Writer, episode 5
BEN MORRIS Writer, episode 7
HAMISH WRIGHT Series Producer DOMINIC BARLOW Producer
JEREMY PIVEN Co-­‐Producer
MICHAEL ROBINS Director, episodes 1 & 2 ROBERT DEL MAESTRO Director, episodes 3 & 4 BILL ANDERSON Director, episodes 5 & 6 FRASER MACDONALD Director, episodes 7 & 8 JOSS AGNEW Director, episodes 9 & 10
ROB EVANS Director of Photography, episodes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 & 10
TONY COLDWELL Director of Photography, episodes 3, 4, 7 & 8
NICK DANCE Produc(on Designer
CANDIDA OTTON Costume Designer, episodes 1 -­‐ 8
JAMES KEAST Costume Designer, episodes 9 & 10
BARBARA SWERYDA Hair and Make Up Designer
ERIKA ÖKVIST Loca(on Manager
SPENCER NORMINGTON Sound Recordist
SIMON CLARK Editor, episodes 1, 2, 5 & 6
LOIS BYGRAVE Editor, episodes 3 & 4 ANNE SOPEL Editor, episodes 7 & 8 LIZ WEBBER Editor, episodes 9 & 10 ISOBEL STEPHENSON Choreographer CAROLINE POPE Cas(ng Director DANIEL EDWARDS Cas(ng Director, ITV
JAMES BAIN