As American audiences (im)patiently await the premiere of the final series of Downton Abbey this coming Sunday on PBS, audiences in the UK will soon be aware of the fact that there is, indeed, ‘life after Downton‘, as series 4 of Mr. Selfridge re-opens its’ doors on Friday, 8 January at 9:00pm on ITV. For those in the U.S. that are (im)patiently waiting to see the next chapter in the life of Harry Gordon Selfridge, I’m afraid your Sunday nights will be full for the next 10 weeks with Downton with Mr. Selfridge premiering on Sunday, March 27, 2016.

Mr. Selfridge 101 – Series 3 recap

You may recall that when we last left Harry Gordon Selfridge, let’s just say the he and Lord Loxley won’t be getting together for lunch anytime soon. Remember, it was Lord Loxley who purchased the stock that Harry sold causing him to lose sole control of the store. Faced with some over-the-top scrutiny from the likes of Lord Loxley and other shareholders, Harry does his best imitation of Baldrick and comes up with a cunning plan of his own that we would call a ‘massive sale’ designed to increase profits to shareholders. As bad publicity ensued, Harry did survive the vote of no-confidence that was engineered by Loxley during an emergency board meeting but, come to find out, Lord Loxley has now sold his shares to a mysterious backer intent on owning the store. Now, you’re all caught up, right?

Mr. Selfridge – series 4 premieres Friday, 8 January at 9p on ITV

For series 4, it’s 1928, nine years after season three. We find Harry at the pinnacle of his power and public celebrity, a retail giant at the heart of the roaring twenties. A man-about-town in London and often gambling glamorously abroad, rumors of Harry’s latest fling light up the social circuit at Victor Colleano’s new nightspot, which is bigger and more decadent than ever.

Remember, this is the roaring 20s, a time of rapid change and progress. It’s a time where nothing and nobody wants to stand still and contemplate. Fashions and musical tastes are evolving. It is a new and modern world with the crackle of radio and exciting new technologies. The mood of London is distinctly ‘modern’. This is the age made for the likes of Harry Gordon Selfridge to live large.

***Mr. Selfridge series 4 spoilers ahead. Enter at your own risk***

In series 4, Harry unexpectedly receives a very special visitor. At Colleano’s, Harry and Mae are among the privileged crowd that gathers to watch the spectacle: an exhibition-boxing match between an American and a British champion. Harry meets the man Victor arranged it all with, Jimmy Dillon. A sharp and confident entrepreneur, Jimmy takes a fancy to Mae but gets off on the wrong foot with a slightly defensive Harry. Meanwhile, Harry’s head is turned by the presence of stunning stage sirens the Dolly sisters, Jenny and Rosie – who clearly have their sights set on Harry.

Mr. Selfridge, series 4 premieres Friday, 8 January at 9p on ITV and Sunday, March 27, 2016 on PBS in the U.S.