ITV Studios and PBS announced Tuesday that acclaimed tenor Alfie Boe will be making a special appearance in the new series of Mr Selfridge, which is due to transmit on ITV and PBS Masterpiece next year.
 

With filming of Mr Selfridge 2 well underway, Boe will be joining the returning cast which includes Jeremy Piven, Katherine Kelly, Frances O’Connor and Amanda Abbington for one episode which will film at the end of July through to the beginning of August. The episode will be written by Kate Brooke and will air midway through series 2.

“I’m a huge fan of Mr Selfridge and am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the series. I’m looking forward to seeing the set and meeting the cast,” said Alfie Boe, who has sold well over one million records in The UK, had three Top Ten albums and has just completed a sold-out UK Arena Tour.

Series two of Mr Selfridge picks up the action in 1914 as the store is celebrating its 5th anniversary of trading. As the series progresses war breaks out and Mrs Selfridge (Frances O’Connor) and Mr Crabb (Ron Cook) arrange a charity event at the store to raise money for soldiers on the front line.

Alfie Boe plays Richard Chapman, a tenor who used to be top of the bill at the Gaiety and is an old friend of Lady Mae Loxley (Katherine Kelly). Lady Mae asks Richard to sing at Selfridge’s charity concert and he’s happy to oblige. As Mae says herself, Richard has the voice and heart of an angel. Richard comes back into her life at a time when she needs him most, offering her warm comfort and worldly wisdom.

Kate Lewis, executive producer for ITV Studios said: “As soon as we introduced the character of Richard Chapman we knew Alfie Boe would be the perfect person to play him. We were delighted when he accepted the role and we’re looking forward to welcoming him on set.”

Let’s see….Downton Abbey 4, Sherlock 3, Bletchley Circle 2, Call the Midwife 3 and, now, Mr. Selfridge 2. Time to get a DVR with more storage….