MovieChat Forums > Mr Selfridge (2013) Discussion > Back Story on Tilly Brockless

Back Story on Tilly Brockless

posted 9 years ago by rchrisss
8 replies | jump to latest

It's a pity that there's not enough time or space with all the other storylines going on in an hour's episode to see more of Tilly's life outside her work; specifically, home and family life. Being from America, I can't imagine what life would be like in a Black community in early 20th Century England. I suppose the racially driven snubbing she's getting from her supervisor contrasted with her growing friendship with Meryl Grove *is* her storyline...but I wouldn't mind seeing more.

[–] Anhun 9 years ago

I would like to see a spin-off centering on Tilly Brockless, but that's just wishful thinking.

"You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves . . . two grown men acting like . . . grown men!!!"

[–] TheDuchessofM 9 years ago

Me too! She's so charming.

[–] rchrisss 9 years ago

And gracious.

[–] richard.fuller1 9 years ago

The actress is very capable and I fear was rather short-changed here with Tilly. I wouldn't mind seeing her in something else later on, regardless the role. I bet given the chance, she'd make it work.

[–] cindiatgzg 9 years ago

I wish you could 'like' posts. I agree, Tilly was charming, graceful, modest and her character had so much potential. I've enjoyed her storyline

[–] richard.fuller1 9 years ago

She wasn't so much snubbed for being Black as she was for the 'scandal'.

Had that not been there, she would have been left alone.

[–] rchrisss 9 years ago

Ahh! You are correct.

I had trouble with my television reception the day the episode aired in which Tilly is hired. Most of what I saw was her interview with Mr. Grove and Madame Rennard (Lady Mae). I didn't care enough to stream the episode later. Now I recall it, Miss Ellis *did* have the information on Tilly's departure under a cloud from her previous employer, and alluded to that several times before she went to Grove later on.

[–] MacMurrah 8 years ago

There were Blacks in the UK since the 1700s mostly around the port cities but also in London. Of course they were ill-treated and relegated to doing the worst jobs in society.
Liverpool has the oldest Black community in Britain.

That being said, it was only recently in the 1960s when Blacks could work alongside Whites.

I didn't really like the Tilly backstory, it appeared like another classic bigoted supervisor which would have been more likely the case, but the fake reference story line was a poor reason.