Entourage actor Jeremy Piven to star as Mr Selfridge

Jeremy Piven's other credits include a big screen role in Black Hawk Down

Entourage star Jeremy Piven is to take the lead role in an ITV drama series about retail entrepreneur Harry Selfridge, it has been announced.

The US actor, who won a Golden Globe for playing Ari Gold in the show, will play the London store founder.

Katherine Kelly, who played Becky McDonald in Coronation Street, will play socialite Lady Mae in the drama set in 1909.

The 10-part serial is expected to be aired on ITV1 next year.

It was created by award-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies, whose credits include the adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth, Tipping the Velvet and political drama House of Cards.

The drama is based upon a book chronicling Selfridge's colourful life, called Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge.

The businessman is said to have opened his department store on Oxford Street "to make shopping as thrilling as sex".

Selfridge was said to be an energetic man who was happily married but known to have kept the company of glamorous women.

The series will follow in the wake of ITV1's ratings-winning period pieces Downton Abbey and Titanic, both created by screenwriter Julian Fellowes.