"MASTERPIECE" on PBS and ITV Studios Announce "Mr. Selfridge" Starring Jeremy Piven

Other Coproductions Include New Episodes of Endeavour, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Miss Marple, Inspector Lewis

BOSTON, July 25, 2012 -- MASTERPIECE/WGBH and ITV Studios have announced a coproduction deal that includes Mr. Selfridge (w.t.), a highly anticipated new drama series starring Jeremy Piven (Entourage) in the title role.

Created by Emmy(R) Award-winning writer Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House) and executive produced by Kate Lewis for ITV Studios, Mr. Selfridge recounts the real life story of the flamboyant and visionary American founder of Selfridge's, London's lavish department store.

"Adding Jeremy Piven to our legendary list of MASTERPIECE actors is a real treat," says MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. "Mr. Selfridge has all the qualities viewers expect from our programs - a riveting story, fabulous production values, a first-rate cast, and now... shopping!"

Other titles in the coproduction package include new episodes of some of MASTERPIECE's most popular mystery series: the Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour and Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and Inspector Lewis.

Set in 1909 London, when women were reveling in a new sense of freedom and modernity, Mr. Selfridge follows Harry Gordon Selfridge ("Mile a Minute Harry"), a man with a mission to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Pioneering and reckless, with an almost manic energy, Harry created a theater of retail where any topic or trend that was new, exciting, entertaining - or just eccentric - was showcased.

Mr. Selfridge will air on MASTERPIECE in 2013.

MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer. Funding for the series is provided by Viking River Cruises and public television viewers, with additional support from contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series' future.

Mr. Selfridge is an ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE coproduction. Endeavour is a coproduction of Mammoth Screen and MASTERPIECE. Inspector Lewis is a coproduction of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE. Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple are coproductions of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.