'The Paradise' set to re-open tonight on PBS' Masterpiece


At long last, The Paradise is set for a series 2 return tonight on PBS’ Masterpiece Classic series. While the doors have been shuttered since series 1 came to a close almost a year ago in November 2013, fans of the BBC drama series have been wondering whether or not the second series would make its way to the US given it ended in the UK last December. Beginning tonight, Sundays will once again be Must See TV leading viewers up to the next long-awaited series return of Downton Abbey on January 4, 2015.

During series 1, viewers of The Paradise, the BBC’s answer to ITV’s Mr. Selfridge, lived vicariously through the life of a bright-eyed country girl, Denise Lovett, played brilliantly by Joanna Vanderham. You know her, the girl with endless new ideas on how to promote business, who found more than just shop-girl work when she brought those clever ideas and endless ambition to Britain’s glamorous first department store, The Paradise. It wasn’t all that easy as Lovett came to know first hand the power struggles, intrigues and romance of retail catching the attention of the store’s dashing and enigmatic owner, John Moray. The Paradise revolves around the lives of the people who live and work in the store, each bound in their own way by the power of the world they live in, and the pasts that follow them there. It’s a love story, a mystery, a lavish costume drama and a social comedy all in one.
 

 
As you can see, series 2 takes place a year after the dramatic events (and all that that entails) which occurred in the series 1 finale. Unfortunately, no spoilers here so you’ll have to wait until tonights premiere to find out what’s in store (sorry) for Lord Glendenning, Katherine, Denise and Moray. It promises to be more of the same…power struggles, intrigues and romance. Can’t wait.

We heard from a number of you asking where The Paradise is filmed. The series was filmed at Lambton Castle in County Durham in England, which was converted into an 1870s bustling upmarket department store, complete with a Victorian street with shops and a tavern. Ah, the magic of telly.

Series 2 will premiere tonight and air each Sunday at 8p ET/7p CT on PBS as part of the Masterpiece Classic series through November 16.


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