Mr Selfridge - Series 3 [DVD] [2015]

Series 3 has the wonderful sets, costumes, period detail we expect but the story lines are not 5-star quality. You do need to have seen series 1 and 2 to follow this series as it continues many open story lines. I'm hoping series 4 will bring many threads together as this series is a little confusing: one example is Colleano's club which seems to have been tacked on as a time filler. I'm still trying to work out where the club scenes fitted in except to give the youngest daughter more screen time. I haven't read the book on which the series is based so maybe there lies the explanation. We see the beginning of Harry's downfall and the difficulties faced following the war. There's not much joy in this series, it's rather gloomy and sad and with only a very few exceptions the costumes are too. Mr.Crabb and George Towler are great, I really enjoyed their scenes and at the end you do feel a lot of sympathy for Harry Selfridge: his beloved Rose has died, Lady Mae is far away and his children are forging new lives without him. What next for this charismatic personality? Hopefully series 4 will be more joyful and if it's the final series and does show his downfall then please end with a wonderful montage of Harry's best moments, he was unique!

Season Three of Mr Selfridge takes on a different direction and the fluffy world of high society becomes darker and more grim. Loxley takes full advantage of Selfridge’s precarious financial position s Selfridge totters between his latest personal tragedy and his dependence on Nancy Webb, a lady with a secret. Much more adventurous than the preceding seasons, this time we are taken into more sombre themes – the vicious attack and near rape of Kitty, the world of drugs and police corruption, the devastating effect of the war, a surprising and violent death and the machinations of confidence tricksters. As Loxley creeps onto the Board of Selfridge’s can Selfridge hold on to his finances and even his store? With stronger storylines married with some superlative acting, this series has grown in power. I look forward to the final season.

There ARE some positives about the series; the sets are sumptuous and Jeremy Piven gives again an outstanding performance in the eponymous role (Aidan McArdle is also terrific again) but the whole thing doesn't compare well with the first two series which tripped along SO entertainingly.The chief culprit is the story lines which seem contrived. The script is much less well-written and lacks the sparkle that characterized its predecessors and far, far too many bland figures keep popping up. It is only when Mr Selfridge is confronting Lord Loxley (boo, hiss) do we get faint echoes of the fine first and second series.There's an unwelcome afternoon TV feel about proceedings and the focus on the store and chief protagonists is blurred by introducing a whole regiment of story arcs. Also a drag is the exploration of contemporary social issues which makes the series plot-driven rather than character-driven and this factor alone blunts the drama.So, the sets, Jeremy Piven and Aidan McArdle worth a watch but on the whole it's quite a disappointment.

Worth a watch great story line and acting

Just what I wanted. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Very enjoyable show. The third series take a darker twist but it is great to watch all the character develop.

If you watched it when on TV it is good to watch back to back if only for the sets and fashion.

I enjoyed this series as much as the previous ones, with enough new scenarios to make it interesting and the sets are as usual lavish and realistic; I am always impressed by them. As usual it ends leaving us wanting some closure, thereby setting the scene for the next series. Excellent work by all the actors, they make it believable. Very well done!