Mr. Selfridge

Obstacles mount for Harry as opening day looms: his store is at the "dead end" of Oxford Street, and his business partner pulls out at the last moment. With the arrival of his wife, Rose (Frances O'Connor, Madame Bovary), and family from the States, Harry does what he has to do in the run-up to the big day.

Selfridge's is open for business, but the customers aren't coming through the doors. Harry hits on a promotional idea--a grand exhibition inside the store for aviator Louis Blériot, the first person to fly across the English Channel, and for the airplane that carried him. Feeling neglected, Rose explores London on her own and meets a handsome young artist at the National Gallery.

Harry comes up with another idea: selling cosmetics at the front of the store. Not all of his workers are convinced about the wisdom of the move. But one store assistant, Agnes Towler, is more than willing to help and even develops a house perfume for Selfridge's.

Selfridge's gets a massive boost when world-famous ballerina Anna Pavlova agrees to visit the store and have tea with Rose. However, Rose misses the event--and after an embarrassing incident leads her to resign, Agnes wishes she had, too.

Harry continues to drive change in the retail world by bringing in a display automobile to promote the store's new motoring merchandise. Rose gets a surprise visit at home as the Selfridges' relationship goes through a rocky patch. When Agnes is persuaded to return to her job, one male staffer is particularly happy to see her back.

A car accident leaves Harry in a coma, the family in distress, and journalists in the dark about what really happened behind the wheel. On Oxford Street, a group of suffragettes marches in support of women's rights, presenting Selfridge's with a unique opportunity.

Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle does a book signing at Selfridge's--and the spiritualist persuades Harry to hold a séance at the store. Whatever the spirits may or may not reveal, one thing becoming clearer is the growing affection between Agnes and Henri Leclair.

The Selfridges host a dinner for fellow American Frank W. Woolworth, who is extending his chain of discount stores from the United States to Britain. The visit brings out Harry's competitive instincts. Seeking to prove himself to his guest, Harry gets into a contest he can't win.

Harry invites polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton to give a talk at the store about his recent expeditions. A less welcome visitor is Rose's intrepid young friend from the National Gallery, who is now associating with the Selfridges' daughter Rosalie. He stuns Harry with what he has to tell him.

King Edward VII visits the store for a private, after-hours shopping session. In return, the Selfridges get a royal invitation to the opening of a new play by an old flame of Harry's, Ellen Love, with unfortunate consequences for the married couple.