The Paradise (TV series)

The Paradise
series title over blue wallpaper effect
Genre Drama
Created by Bill Gallagher
Based on Au Bonheur des Dames by Emile Zola
Written by Bill Gallagher
Gaby Chiappe
Katie Baxendale
Ben Harris
Directed by David Drury
Marc Jobst
Susan Tully
Bill Gallagher
Kenneth Glenaan
Starring Ruby Bentall
Finn Burridge
Elaine Cassidy
Sonya Cassidy
Ben Daniels
Emun Elliott
David Hayman
Sarah Lancashire
Patrick Malahide
Matthew McNulty
Lisa Millett
Katie Moore
Joanna Vanderham
Edie Whitehead
Peter Wight
Stephen Wight
Composer(s) Maurizio Malagnini
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 2
No. of episodes 16 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Susan Hogg
  • Bill Gallagher
  • Rebecca Eaton (for Masterpiece)
Producer(s) Simon Lewis
Cinematography
  • Alan Almond
  • Simon Richards
  • Peter Greenhalgh
Running time 59 minutes
Production company(s)
Release
Original network BBC One
Original release 25 September 2012 (2012-09-25) – 8 December 2013 (2013-12-08)
External links
Website

The Paradise is a British television costume drama series co-produced by BBC Studios and Masterpiece.[1] The Paradise premiered in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 25 September 2012 and premiered in the United States on PBS on 6 October 2013.[2] The series is an adaptation of Émile Zola's novel Au Bonheur des Dames that relocates the story to North East England. (Zola's novel itself is a retelling of the story of Aristide Boucicaut, the Bellême-born founder of Le Bon Marché.)[3]

A second series was commissioned by BBC One in late October 2012[4] and was broadcast on 20 October 2013 on BBC One.[5]

On 12 February 2014, the BBC confirmed that The Paradise would not return for a third series.[6] They cited that the programme had lower figures than other relatively new dramas such as Death in Paradise, Sherlock and Silk. Furthermore, its ITV rival Mr Selfridge was performing better. The BBC also commented that the show was enjoyable: "However, in order to make room for new dramas to come through, The Paradise won't be returning."[7]

Plot

Series 1

Series 1 begins in 1875, and portrays the lives and loves of the people who work, shop and trade, in and around the first English department store.[8] The owner of The Paradise department store is widower John Moray. Moray was once a draper's boy in Emersons, the small shop that grew under his managership into The Paradise, which has come to dominate the high street to the detriment of small shopkeepers nearby.

Into this world comes Denise Lovett, from the small town of Peebles in Scotland, whose uncle Edmund is one of the shopkeepers struggling to survive. Denise takes a job at The Paradise and is soon seen by Moray as a rising star, to the annoyance of Miss Audrey, the head of ladies' fashion, and of Clara, a fellow shopgirl. Moray is financially dependent on Lord Glendenning, whose daughter Katherine is determined to marry Moray and sees Denise as a direct threat to her ambitions.

Series 2

Lord Glendenning has died and Katherine Glendenning has inherited The Paradise. She now has a husband, Tom Weston, and a young stepdaughter, Flora. Katherine asks Moray, who has been exiled to Paris, to return to revive the fortunes of The Paradise, and save it from being sold. Weston is determined to control his wife and The Paradise, overruling Moray to his own advantage. Moray's position at the Bon Marche is a reference to Octave Mouret's derision and constant competition with the same.

Production

The series was filmed at Lambton Castle, which was converted into an 1870s[9] bustling upmarket department store. Alongside, a Victorian street with shops and a tavern were constructed. Biddick Hall, also on the Lambton estate, was used as Lord Glendenning's house.[10]

Cast

Main cast

CharacterPortrayed byBased onSeasons
12
Denise LovettJoanna VanderhamDenise BauduMain
Edmund LovettPeter WightBauduMain
John MorayEmun ElliottOctave MouretMain
DudleyMatthew McNultyBourdoncleMain
Jonas FranksDavid HaymanJouveMain
Miss AudreySarah LancashireMadame Aurélie LhommeMainRecurring
ClaraSonya CassidyClara PrunaireMain
SamStephen WightHutin and DelocheMain
ArthurFinn Burridge/Main
The Hon. Katherine GlendenningElaine CassidyMadame DesforgesMain
Lord GlendenningPatrick MalahideBaron HartmannMain
PaulineRuby BentallPauline CugnotMain
Susy BellKatie Moore/Main
MyrtleLisa Millett/Main
Tom WestonBen Daniels/Main
Flora WestonEdie Whitehead/Main

Recurring and guest cast

Guest stars who played a major part in an episode were credited in the opening credits, amongst the main cast, for that specific episode. The following actors' names were included in the opening credits in at least one episode:

  • Olivia Hallinan as Jocelin Brookmire, a wealthy but unhappy friend of Katherine's
  • Mark Bonnar as Peter Adler, a wealthy philanthropist and suitor to Katherine
  • Arthur Darvill as Bradley Burroughs, a barber who is Moray's business partner for a short time
  • David Bamber as Charles Chisholm, a milliner with a shop across the street from The Paradise
  • Adrian Scarborough as Joseph Fenton, one of the Fenton brothers, wealthy businessmen intent on buying The Paradise
  • Kevin Guthrie as Nathaniel, one of the boys working in the loading bays at The Paradise, who is secretly employed by Mr Fenton
  • Branka Katic as Clémence Romanis, a free-thinking Parisian supplier and friend of Moray's
  • Julia Ford as Ruby Bell, Susy's estranged mother
  • John Duttine as Campbell Balentine, the wealthy owner of a successful beer brewery
  • Liz White as Lucille Balentine, a former nurse who has recently married Campbell
  • Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Christian Cartwright, a renowned photographer

Episodes

Series 1 (2012)

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers (million)[11]
1"Episode 1"Marc JobstBill Gallagher25 September 2012 (2012-09-25)6.61
Denise Lovett arrives in a northern English town to seek employment with her uncle in his draper's shop. His shop is failing under pressure from The Paradise, the first high-class department store in the town, and cannot afford to take her on. Undeterred, she seeks a position as a salesgirl at The Paradise and comes under the watchful eye of the head of ladies fashion, Miss Audrey, and her strict standards. She soon catches the eye of the widowed owner Moray, much to the chagrin of salesgirl Clara, who has slept with him, and Katherine Glendenning, daughter of Lord Glendenning, who expects to marry him.
2"Episode 2"David DruryBill Gallagher2 October 2012 (2012-10-02)5.79
Katherine Glendenning brings her friend Mrs. Brookmire (Olivia Hallinan) to the store to cheer her up. Dazzled by the array of goods and the attention given to her by Sam at the draper's counter, Mrs. Brookmire buys so many items that Moray opens the first store account for her to settle the bill at a later date. After taking ill in the store, Mrs Brookmire is helped by Sam. She invites him to the Glendennings' home, where she breaks down to reveal she has left her husband. She kisses Sam just as Lord Glendenning and Katherine walk in. Sam is accused of ungentlemanly behaviour and Moray is asked to dismiss him. With the reputation of The Paradise is at stake, Moray is intent on discovering the truth.
3"Episode 3"David DruryGaby Chiappe9 October 2012 (2012-10-09)5.70
Denise’s discovery of a baby in ladieswear causes ripples throughout the store. Clara resents Denise's popularity, while Miss Audrey fears Denise's ambitions. Meanwhile, Arthur questions his own foundling status. Moray uses the baby to increase sales, while Katherine pursues Peter Adler (Mark Bonnar), who runs a home for foundlings, in an attempt to make Moray jealous. Denise comes up with an idea for a children's department and uses Katherine as a go-between to tell Moray about her idea, which fails. Clara's secret is threatened when the foundlings take a field trip to the Paradise.
4"Episode 4"Sue TullyBill Gallagher16 October 2012 (2012-10-16)5.14
Miss Audrey develops a mysterious illness, causing her to lose her voice. Her absence creates a vacancy for a temporary Head of Ladieswear, and Moray appoints Denise as head because a potential client is expected to make a large order. A jealous Clara tries to sabotage the order while Katherine enjoys the effect Peter Adler is having on her life, but her behaviour worries her father. Clara tries to seduce Moray once again. Katherine, unable to forget Moray, ends her friendship with Adler. Moray assures Miss Audrey that she is appreciated at The Paradise.
5"Episode 5"Marc JobstBill Gallagher23 October 2012 (2012-10-23)5.82
Bradley Burroughs' (Arthur Darvill) barber shop is in the way of The Paradise's expansion, and Moray is forced to make Burroughs a junior partner to continue expanding. However, Burroughs causes consternation throughout the store so Jonas takes matters into his own hands. Denise's idea for a "Gentlemen's Afternoon" is stolen by Miss Audrey and becomes a disaster when misunderstood by the gentlemen's wives. Miss Glendenning deliberately provokes Moray by shopping with his rival shopkeepers, giving Denise's uncle false hopes for the survival of his failing business.
6"Episode 6"Sue TullyBill Gallagher30 October 2012 (2012-10-30)5.30
Exotic lovebirds arrive as a new attraction to be sold at the Paradise. Pauline is promoted to sell the birds but accidentally releases one. Lord Glendenning offers Moray a bigger loan to buy the leases of every shop in the street. Moray commits to an engagement with Katherine. Despite the warnings of an experienced Miss Audrey, Denise is unable to keep her true feelings from Moray any longer. On the announcement of the engagement, Denise leaves The Paradise to live with her uncle. Arthur fears what Jonas has done to Burroughs.
7"Episode 7"Marc JobstKatie Baxendale6 November 2012 (2012-11-06)5.69
Katherine's wedding plans and her future plans for Moray and The Paradise threaten Jonas, whose presence upsets her, as does the picture of Moray's wife. Denise's plan for a co-operative of the small traders in the neighboring street has some initial success, causing reduced sales at The Paradise, but ultimately fails when the traders fall out prompted by hatmaker Charles Chisholm (David Bamber). Lord Glendenning suggests that Moray and Katherine take an extended honeymoon in Europe following the wedding.
8"Episode 8"David DruryBill Gallagher13 November 2012 (2012-11-13)5.77
As the wedding approaches, Denise returns to The Paradise. Moray confesses his love for her, much to her delight. However, Lord Glendenning now owns the freeholds of The Paradise and all the surrounding shops, and insists that Moray's marriage to Katherine must take place. Katherine warns Denise that it if she and Moray get together, Moray could lose The Paradise. Burroughs' body turns up in the river, and since Jonas is the main suspect, Dudley attempts to fire him. Before the wedding, Moray has a change of heart and searches The Paradise for Denise. The series ends with the lovers kissing.

Series 2 (2013)

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers (million)[11]
9"Episode 1"David DruryBill Gallagher20 October 2013 (2013-10-20)6.04
It's one year later. Lord Glendenning has died and The Paradise now is up for sale. Denise is still at the department store while the disgraced Moray is working in Paris. Katherine has a new husband, Tom Weston (Ben Daniels) and a ten year old step daughter, Flora. Katherine recalls Moray to save The Paradise though her husband and the staff, especially Denise, doubt her motives.
10"Episode 2"David DruryBill Gallagher27 October 2013 (2013-10-27)5.44
Miss Audrey's impending wedding to Edmund Lovett raises the rivalries of Denise and Clara as to who will replace her. Moray's friend from Paris, the flirtatious Clemence (Branka Katić), arrives in town as a fireworks suppliers. Clemence causes controversy among the girls when she declares women should be able to work and be married, causing Miss Audrey to doubt her wedding plans to Edmund. Tom Weston becomes fixated on Clemence, much to Katherine's jealousy. Denise is also jealous of Clemence until she learns that Clemence is not interested in men. The banished Jonas arrives in a cart half-dead.
11"Episode 3"David DruryGaby Chiappe3 November 2013 (2013-11-03)5.50
Filling the now vacant Head of Ladieswear position proves to be complicated: Tom Weston favors Clara but Katherine worries he intends to make Clara his mistress so she supports Denise. Denise is delighted to be in consideration but Moray tries to discourage her from applying, afraid of Denise becoming a pawn in Katherine and Tom's games. Tom intends to send Flora away to boarding school so Dudley takes Flora under his wing to educate her at The Paradise. The annual Paradise outing to the music hall is canceled by Weston, but Jonas encourages Denise to organize an alternate event.
12"Episode 4"Kenny GlenaanBill Gallagher10 November 2013 (2013-11-10)5.50
Tom Weston's plans to expand The Paradise puts Moray's hope of buying the store back beyond his financial reach. Moray reluctantly allies himself with Mr. Fenton (Adrian Scarborough), who suggests that Moray flirt with Katherine to make Tom jealous enough to sell the shop. A mysterious vagabond breaks into Edmund's shop and is revealed to be figure from Susy's past. Distraught, Susy loses her temper at Flora and is dismissed. However, Denise tries to think of a way to get Susy's job back.
13"Episode 5"David DruryBill Gallagher17 November 2013 (2013-11-17)5.03
Weston is upset when Moray opens a department selling timepieces, taking the limelight from his new food hall. Moray schemes with Jonas and Fenton to further upset Weston by using Katherine's father's pocket watch as a centerpiece attraction, giving the impression that Katherine is still in love with Moray. Denise's democratic method of running the Ladieswear department attract Weston's attention and he offers her the chance to show the other departments her ways, which upsets Moray. Meanwhile, Sam becomes obsessed with the watch and accidentally hypnotizes Susy into falling in love with him.
14"Episode 6"Bill GallagherBill Gallagher24 November 2013 (2013-11-24)5.52
Katherine is terrified by her husband's cruel mind games and she confides in Moray about Tom's increasingly spiteful behavior, unaware Tom is spying on her. Wealthy newlyweds Lucille (Liz White) and elderly Campbell Ballentine (John Duttine) become Paradise customers and Lucille asks the Ladieswear department to teach her how to be a lady. Denise sees Ballentine as a potential backer for Moray and takes the initiative to convince him to invest in The Paradise. Moray's scheming with Fenton and Jonas cause emotions to run high and his flirtation with Katherine to go too far.
15"Episode 7"David DruryBen Harris1 December 2013 (2013-12-01)5.08
Weston hires photographer Christian Cartwright (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) to take portraits of the family and The Paradise staff. Cartwright becomes interested in making Clara his muse while Katherine tries to repair her fragile marriage to Tom. Moray and Denise's relationship is still strained even when he reveals he was only flirting with Katherine to wrest control of The Paradise. Denise creates 'Paradise Postcards' with Cartwright for their customers, much to the annoyance of Moray. Weston reveals Moray's plotting to Katherine and suggests she has a holiday abroad alone. The Paradise is chosen to bring a serialised ghost story to life, which brings Moray and Denise back together. Weston makes a proposal to Clara.
16"Episode 8"David DruryGaby Chiappe8 December 2013 (2013-12-08)5.07
A smartly dressed French debt collector dies in the store shortly after the arrival of Clemence (Branka Katić), who is supplying Hazard dice and Parisian rouge, a product associated with prostitutes. Denise is challenged to sell the product to ladies, who find rouge too scandalous. Weston confronts Clemence and reveals that he knows the debt collector was looking for her. He makes Clemence an indecent proposal as Katherine discovers she is pregnant and tries to fix her marriage with Tom. Denise, Jonas, and Moray attempt to stop Tom and regain control of The Paradise. Denise and Moray make up but he is reluctant to marry her since she will be forced to quit The Paradise. Denise decides to start her own business from her uncle's shop so the two can be free to be together. The series ends with the two kissing.

Soundtrack

A soundtrack, featuring music by composer Maurizio Malagnini from the series, was released by Silva Screen Records on 26 August 2013.[12] The music was performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and recorded at Air Studios, Lyndhurst Hall, London, UK. The score won a Music + Sound Award 2013.[13]

Track listing

The Paradise - Original Television Soundtrack
No.TitleLength
1."The Paradise Lovebirds" 
2."The Portrait" 
3."Children Arrive At The Paradise" 
4."Impossible Love" 
5."I Will Ruin You" 
6."Reception Waltzer" 
7."Opening The Doors" 
8."We Will Never Know" 
9."Denise Is Entering The Paradise" 
10."Shopgirls" 
11."Trailer And End Credits" 
12."I Have Married The Wrong Man" 
13."Sam Is Innocent" 
14."Miss Paradise Pink" 
15."Pauline's Theme" 
16."Miss Audrey And Ladieswear" 
17."Perfume From Morocco" 
18."Sam Could Lose Everything" 
19."Audrey And The Baby" 
20."Denise And Moray" 
21."Lord Glendenning Owns Everything" 
22."Miss Audrey Is Unwell" 
23."The Dark Lake And Jonas" 
24."Katherine And Moray" 
25."The Wedding Veil" 
26."You Are Mine" 
27."The Hope For Love" 
28."Denise And Moray Are Falling In Love" 
29."The Final Kiss" 

Releases

DVD

Series 1 was released by BBC Worldwide in a region 2 three-disc set on 3 December 2012.[14]

Series 2 was released by 2Entertain in a region 2 three-disc set on 9 December 2013.

Series 1 and 2 were released by 2Entertain as a six-disc box set on 9 December 2013.

Blu-ray

Series 1 was released by BBC Home Entertainment in a Zone A two-disc set on 12 November 2013.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Topic Galleries". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  2. ↑ "PBS Fall Season Offers an Array of New Series, Specials and Returning Favorites: PBS". PBS PressRoom. PBS. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Stellar cast announced for Bill Gallagher's glittering new BBC One drama series The Paradise". BBC Media Centre. BBC. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "BBC One commissions second series of The Paradise". BBC Media Centre. 2012-10-31.
  5. ↑ "The Paradise". BBC Media Centre. 2013-10-08.
  6. ↑ "The Paradise cancelled by BBC One after two series". Digital Spy. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "BBC show The Paradise axed as ITV's Mr. Selfridge triumphs in TV store wars". Daily Mail. 12 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Simon Lewis, Producer (2012-09-25). "Media Centre - The Paradise". BBC. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  9. ↑ King, Hannah (25 September 2012). "The Paradise: Bringing the set to life". BBC TV Blog. BBC. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "BBC The Paradise". Biddick Hall. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB.
  12. ↑ "The Paradise - Original Television Soundtrack (CD)". Amazon. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "Music+Sound Awards | International". Masawards.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-27. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  14. ↑ DVD release date https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paradise-DVD-Joanna-Vanderham/dp/B009GJDDHS/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1352989782&sr=1-1
  15. ↑ "Paradise: Season One [Blu-ray]: Various: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
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