Mr Selfridge series 3: Actress Kara Tointon says 'we're starting to see his demise'

The series is based on the real-life story the American-born British entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge

Neela Debnath
Sunday 25 January 2015 18:48 GMT
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Kara Tointon and Jeremy Piven star in Mr Selfridge
Kara Tointon and Jeremy Piven star in Mr Selfridge

Tonight Mr Selfridge will be returning to our screens but compared to the razzamatazz of previous series, this year will be darker as the story veers towards tragedy, according to actress Kara Tointon.

The 31-year-old actress, who joined the cast this year, plays an older version of Rosalie Selfridge in the ITV period drama.

Speaking to The Independent she hinted that things are not going to be as jolly in this series, “Harry Selfridge was this entrepreneur who went from rags to riches to rags and it’s a really poignant – it’s sad."

“Even while we’re filming we’re starting to see the demise. You know, slowly it’s creeping in. We don’t know when that’s going to happen.”

The series is based on the real-life story the American-born British entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge who set up the famous London department store on Oxford Street. American actor Jeremy Piven plays the role of the charismatic businessman.

Despite his success, Selfridge lost a lot of his fortune during the Great Depression and his frivolous spending and gambling.

“I keep thinking, ‘No! Don’t do it!’ It’s really heart-breaking that he could have,” she explained.

The Selfridge family

“You think he’s untouchable because being someone in the power that he had and the way he goes about his life and then to actually lose it all through a few silly choices is really sad but it’s a really massive story to tell.”

Series three will pick up after the death of Selfridge’s wife Rose and the return of his mother and two daughters.

Creator Andrew Davies has said that he is going to end the show after the fourth series but fans can expect to enjoy the forthcoming run and another one before the curtain falls.

Series three of 'Mr Selfridge' starts tonight at 9pm on ITV

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