Adapted from the classic French novel by Emile Zola, The Paradise was the most watched autumn TV drama in the UK last year. Set in the first department store in the 19th century North East of England, it’s the story of the life and loves of the staff and their customers. Maurizio Malagnini brings cinematic class to television with his elegant soundtrack performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, the composer praising their efforts in delivering, “a true soul to the score”. Italian born Malagnini graduated from The Royal College Of Music in 2008 and was acclaimed as a “prodigious talent”. Previous work includes BBC productions Muddle Earth and The Body Farm and his symphonic suite Running In The Clouds broadcast on Radio 3.

The BBC commissioned a second series, expected to debut in the UK in 2014, before the first one even finished airing, so high was the viewership for the first several episodes.

The Paradise premieres on PBS on Sunday, 6 October, at 9PM Eastern.