PBS to re-open 'The Paradise' – Sunday, September 28
At long last, The Paradise is set for a series 2 return to PBS this Fall. While the doors have been closed since series 1 came to a close 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 September 28, Sundays will once again be Must See TV leading viewers up to the next long-awaited series return, Downton Abbey on January 4, 2015.
During series 1, fans 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, 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 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 the series 2 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 is filmed at Lambton Castle in County Durham in England, which has been 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 Sundays at 8p ET/7p CT on PBS as part of the Masterpiece Classic series beginning September 28.