ITV has commissioned ten-part 60 minute drama Mr Selfridge starring Entourage actor Jeremy Piven in the title role as flamboyant and visionary American entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge.

The series is created by multi-award winning writer Andrew Davies, and is based upon the book, Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge by author Lindy Woodhead.

Mr Selfridge is set in London in 1909, and tells the story of ‘Mile a Minute Harry’, a man with a mission to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Pioneering and reckless, with an almost manic energy. There is also a rich cast of fictional characters to fall in love with, whose fortunes are all interlinked with his own extraordinary story.

Jeremy Piven is best known for his role in 8 seasons of successful drama Entourage, in which he won three Emmys and a Golden Globe for his portrayal as Ari Gold. His credits include, Black Hawk Down, Guy Ritchie’s Rocknrolla and most recently Angels Crest.

Joining Piven in Mr Selfridge is Katherine Kelly (Coronation Street) as the confident and alluring socialite Lady Mae, whose connections prove vital for Harry as he builds his empire.

Also starring is; Frances O’Connor (Piccadilly Jim) who will play Harry’s wife Rose, acclaimed French actor Gregory Fitoussi (Spiral) as Henri Leclair, Harry’s flamboyant creative director, Aisling Loftus (The Borrowers) as shop assistant Agnes, Trystan Gravelle (Anonymous) as ladies’ man Victor, the Assistant Manager at Selfridges in-store restaurant, and Zoe Tapper (Desperate Romantics) playing a celebrated stage entertainer, Ellen Love, who becomes the new ‘face’ of Selfridges.

ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham said: “The story of Harry Selfridge and how he transformed the world of retail is fantastically rich territory. Andrew Davies and the team have created a compelling and entertaining series that is part family saga and part workplace drama.”

Kate Lewis, Executive Producer for ITV Studios added: “It’s impossible to read about the real Harry Selfridge and not be enthralled. Here’s a man that had it all and lost it all in the most spectacular fashion. His life and the extraordinary legacy he left behind are dripping with drama.”

Mr Selfridge will be produced by Chrissy Skinns (Marchlands), executive produced by ITV Studios Drama’s Kate Lewis. Andrew Davies (Bleak House) is the lead writer alongside Kate Brooke (Case Sensitive) and Kate O’Riordan (The Bad Mother’s Handbook). The first director will be Jon Jones (Ti).

Mr Selfridge will go into production in April in London for transmission on ITV1 during 2013, and distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.