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Miss Scarlet and The Duke

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Miss Scarlet and The Duke
Genre
Created byRachael New
Starring
Country of origin
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of series4
No. of episodes24
Production
Executive producers
  • Todd Berger
  • Patrick Irwin
  • Jin Ishimoto
  • Patty Ishimoto
  • Harvey Myman
  • Rachael New
  • Declan O'Dwyer (series 1)
  • Kate Phillips (series 4-)
  • Stuart Martin (series 4)
Producers
  • Aaron Farrell (series 1)
  • Patty Ishimoto - Series producer (series 4-)
Production locations
  • Ireland (series 1)[1]
  • Serbia (series 2– )[2][3]
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release31 March 2020 (2020-03-31) –
present

Miss Scarlet and The Duke is a British-American period television crime drama created by Rachael New, starring Kate Phillips and Stuart Martin as the title characters, two Victorian era detectives.[1][4]

The first series debuted on Alibi in the United Kingdom on 31 March 2020, and premiered in the United States on 17 January 2021, as part of PBS's Masterpiece anthology series. A second series was announced by PBS on 29 March 2021. It premiered on Alibi in the UK on 14 June 2022, and on PBS in the US on 16 October 2022. The show was later renewed for series three and four, with series three premiering on PBS on 8 January 2023, and season four premiering on PBS on 7 January 2024.

It was announced in the United States on 29 February 2024, on PBS's Masterpiece website, that Miss Scarlet and the Duke would be renewed for a fifth series. The announcement also contained the news that the show would be retitled simply Miss Scarlet, with Stuart Martin as "the Duke" departing the show.[5] He will be replaced by Tom Durant Pritchard as Inspector Alexander Blake.[6]

Plot and characters

[edit]

In Victorian London, 1882, Eliza Scarlet is left almost penniless when her father, Henry, unexpectedly dies. Although marriage would appear to be her only option for financial security, Eliza resolves to take over her father's detective agency alone, working under his name. Struggling to build her reputation in the male-dominated world of crime-solving, she frequently calls on her childhood friend William Wellington, a gruff Scottish detective inspector of Scotland Yard, for assistance.

William is known in the police force as "The Duke" or simply "Duke", a nickname referring to the Duke of Wellington.[7] Eliza's late father Henry saved William from the London streets after arriving from Glasgow as a child, and later mentored him as he trained as a policeman. As a result, William looked up to Henry as a father figure. William once kissed Eliza following her dog's death, which he characterises as "a chaste kiss," to her annoyance. Though he is irritated by Eliza's detective aspirations, he cares for her and gradually begins to show respect for her skills.

Eliza also befriends Rupert Parker, a wealthy man who provides her with direly needed loans. Rupert is the bachelor (and secretly gay) son of Mrs. Parker, a rich landlady who owns Eliza's home, and relies on Eliza's advice to navigate his personal life. Eliza lives with her housekeeper, Ivy Woods, who helped raise her after Eliza's mother died (some time before the series begins). Eliza and William bicker and argue constantly, but also share moments of subtle flirtation and care for each other deeply.

Series writer and creator Rachael New took inspiration for Eliza's character from Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.[7] Born into a middle-class family, Eliza uses her appearance as a refined Victorian lady to her advantage; both clients and suspects underestimate her and she frequently relies on this, her wits, and her father's training to solve cases. William and Eliza work on several cases together, though she is uncredited, causing disputes between them. Eliza also relies on a Black criminal, Moses, for help dealing with the dangerous underworld of London. Moses is amused by Eliza's gumption, and they connect as outsiders to society.

Cast

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Overview

[edit]
Actor Character Occupation Series
1 2 3 4
Kate Phillips Eliza Scarlet Private detective Main
Stuart Martin William "Duke" Wellington Police detective inspector Main
Ansu Kabia Moses Valentine Petty criminal; Eliza's assistant Main Does not appear
Cathy Belton Ivy Woods Housekeeper Main
Simon Ludders Mr Potts Coroner Recurring Regular
Kevin Doyle Henry Scarlet Private detective Regular Does not appear
Andrew Gower Rupert Parker Businessman Regular Does not appear
Matthew Malone Clarence Honeychurch Police constable Recurring Does not appear
Danny Midwinter Frank Jenkins Police detective sergeant Regular Does not appear
Nick Dunning Stirling Police superintendent Regular Does not appear
Richard Evans Herr Hildegard Funeral director Regular Does not appear
Amy McAllister Tilly Hildegard Recurring Does not appear
Ian Pirie Monro Police superintendent Does not appear Regular Does not appear
Evan McCabe Oliver Fitzroy Police detective Does not appear Regular
Tim Chipping Phelps Police detective sergeant Does not appear Regular
Jessie Cave Harriet "Hattie" Parker Lady's companion Does not appear Regular Does not appear
Felix Scott Patrick Nash Private detective Does not appear Recurring Regular
Brian Bovell Solomon Shopkeeper Does not appear Recurring Does not appear
Sophie Robertson Arabella Acaster Restaurant owner Does not appear Recurring Does not appear
Helen Norton Mrs Parker Landlady Recurring Does not appear
Oliver Chris Basil Sinclaire Journalist Does not appear Recurring
Laura Rollins Clementine Sex worker Does not appear Recurring Does not appear
Paul Bazely Clarence Bookkeeper Does not appear Regular

Detective agency

[edit]
  • Kate Phillips as Eliza Scarlet, an ambitious young woman who takes over her late father's detective agency
  • Laura Marcus as young Eliza Scarlet
  • Ansu Kabia as Moses Valentine, a Jamaican British petty criminal whom Eliza frequently hires as an assistant, informant, or debt collector (series 1-3)
  • Kevin Doyle as Henry Scarlet (series 1), Eliza's father and William's mentor
  • Andrew Gower as Rupert Parker (series 1), Eliza's friend and investor

Police officials

[edit]
  • Stuart Martin as William "Duke" Wellington (series 1-4), a detective inspector with the Metropolitan Police
  • Matt Olsen as young William "Duke" Wellington
  • Simon Ludders as Mr Potts (series 1–2; guest, series 3–), a city coroner, who antagonises Eliza but later romantically pursues Ivy
  • Matthew Malone as Clarence Honeychurch (series 1), a police constable
  • Danny Midwinter as Frank Jenkins (series 1), William's assistant, a detective sergeant
  • Nick Dunning as Superintendent Stirling (series 1), William's supervisor
  • Ian Pirie as Superintendent Monro (series 2– ), Stirling's successor
  • Evan McCabe as Oliver Fitzroy (series 2– ), a new and untested detective, and the son of the police commissioner
  • Tim Chipping as DS Phelps (series 2– ), a harsh colleague of William's
  • Tom Durant Pritchard as Alexander Blake (series 5), a former soldier turned inspector who replaces William following his departure for America

Associates

[edit]
  • Cathy Belton as Ivy Woods, Eliza's housekeeper
  • Richard Evans as Herr Hildegard (series 1), a funeral director who works near Eliza's office
  • Amy McAllister as Tilly Hildegard (series 1), Herr Hildegard's German niece, who pursues and eventually marries Rupert
  • Jessie Cave as Harriet "Hattie" Parker (series 2), Mrs Parker's niece and companion
  • Felix Scott as Patrick Nash (recurring, series 2; regular, series 3– ), another private detective
  • Paul Bazely as Clarence (regular, series 4) a bookkeeper employed by Patrick Nash
  • Brian Bovell as Solomon (guest, series 2; regular, series 3 ), a shopkeeper specialising in exotic poisons
  • Sophie Robertson as Arabella Acaster (series 3 ), an old schoolmate who bullied Eliza as a child
  • Helen Norton as Mrs Parker (recurring, series 1–2), Eliza's landlady and Rupert's mother
  • Oliver Chris as Basil Sinclaire (recurring, series 2– ), a journalist specialising in sensational crime stories
  • Laura Rollins as Clementine (recurring, series 2–3 ), a sex worker and friend of Moses', occasionally hired by Eliza for various tasks

Episodes

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1631 March 2020 (2020-03-31)5 May 2020 (2020-05-05)
2614 June 2022 (2022-06-14)19 July 2022 (2022-07-19)
368 January 2023 (2023-01-08)12 February 2023 (2023-02-12)
467 January 2024 (2024-01-07)11 February 2024 (2024-02-11)

Series 1 (2020)

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [a][8]
1"Inheritance"Declan O'DwyerRachael New31 March 2020 (2020-03-31)
After the death of her ailing private detective father, Eliza Scarlet is forced to take on a missing persons case to pay his debts, but the investigation is complicated when she realizes that her client, a seasoned con man, has manipulated her to gain control of his wife's inheritance. With the aid of her father's old protégé, Detective Inspector William "Duke" Wellington, and local criminal Moses Valentine, Eliza proves that her client is a bigamist and apprehends him, enabling his wife to regain her inheritance and her freedom.
2"The Woman in Red"Declan O'DwyerRachael New7 April 2020 (2020-04-07)
Eliza's landlady, enraged by the former's refusal to marry her son, calls in the unpaid lease she owes for her ancestral home. Eliza is hired to investigate a murder — only to discover that the dead man committed suicide and that the supposed murderer was framed by his wife after she uncovered his homosexuality. With help from Moses, she obtains the necessary evidence to clear the man's name seconds before his execution. Eliza subsequently hires Moses to collect payment from a difficult former client and pays off her lease in full.
3"Deeds Not Words"Declan O'DwyerRachael New14 April 2020 (2020-04-14)
Duke hires Eliza to go undercover and infiltrate a women's suffrage group campaigning for the vote.
4"Memento Mori"Declan O'DwyerBen Edwards21 April 2020 (2020-04-21)
Eliza finds herself contacted by a death photographer who seems to be receiving bizarre and threatening messages from beyond the grave. She later makes a surprising discovery about her father and realises that Duke is taking the credit for solving cases that she herself has solved.
5"Cell 99"Declan O'DwyerBen Edwards28 April 2020 (2020-04-28)
Eliza's discovery of her father's casebook leads her to an abandoned prison on the outskirts of London. She and William investigate what seems like an empty building, but they soon discover that it is the hideout for a criminal gang. William believes Moses is involved, but Eliza defends him.
6"The Case of Henry Scarlet"Declan O'DwyerRachael New5 May 2020 (2020-05-05)
Eliza discovers that her father's death may have been murder. With time running out, she has to solve a perplexing puzzle.

Series 2 (2022)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [a][9]
71"Pandora's Box"Steve HughesRachael New14 June 2022 (2022-06-14)
Eliza is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman who works at Wentworth's department store: a case which has already been dismissed by Duke.
82"The Black Witch Moth"Steve HughesRachael New21 June 2022 (2022-06-21)
Eliza is hired by an insurance company to investigate the theft of a rare sketch by Charles Darwin, but the case becomes more complicated when she finds that the insurance company that hired her doesn't exist.
93"A Pauper's Grave"Steve HughesRachael New28 June 2022 (2022-06-28)
Eliza is accused of breaking into the city morgue and stealing files when her mother's ring is found there, but the subsequent investigation reveals ties to a series of past thefts.
104"Angel of Inferno"Ivan ZivkovicRachael New5 July 2022 (2022-07-05)
Eliza is hired by a quack doctor to investigate a blackmail case. Meanwhile, rival private detective Patrick Nash tries to force her to join his agency.
115"Quarter to Midnight"Ivan ZivkovicBen Edwards12 July 2022 (2022-07-12)
Duke is offered a promotion to chief inspector that would require him to transfer to Glasgow, while Eliza discovers two murders were inspired by a crime novel.
126"The Proposal"Ivan ZivkovicBen Edwards and Rachael New19 July 2022 (2022-07-19)
After Nash is injured in a murder attempt, he hires Eliza to find the man responsible. Forced to accept the position in Glasgow, Duke struggles to train Oliver Fitzroy, the police commissioner's son, as his replacement.

Series 3 (2023)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [10][b]
131"The Vanishing"Steve HughesRachael New
(story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)		8 January 2023 (2023-01-08)
Eliza is hired to investigate the disappearance of a magician, unaware that William is also on the case. William tries to quash the leaking of case information to the press.
142"Arabella[c]"Steve HughesSarah-Louise Hawkins15 January 2023 (2023-01-15)
William and Eliza investigate a series of thefts at a local restaurant. Eliza encounters her childhood enemy Arabella and comes to suspect that she is involved in the crimes.
153"Hotel St Marc"Rachael New[13]Ben Edwards
(story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)		22 January 2023 (2023-01-22)
Eliza tracks down a conman, believing she has finally caught Scotland Yard's most wanted man -- but she is not the only one who hopes to claim the reward.
164"Bloodline"Ivan ZivkovicBen Edwards
(story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)		29 January 2023 (2023-01-29)
Detective Fitzroy hires Eliza to look into a case of police corruption after he sees a colleague plant evidence on a suspect.
175"The Heir"Steve HughesDan Muirden5 February 2023 (2023-02-05)
Eliza is on the verge of earning life-changing money when she offers to help the heir to an unclaimed fortune.
186"The Jewel of the North"Steve HughesBen Edwards
(story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)		12 February 2023 (2023-02-12)
Eliza, Nash, Moses, and Wellington are all sent bombs in the post. A robbery has been committed on The Jewel of the North, a train running between London and Liverpool. Everyone must figure out who sent the bombs to them and how the bombs are connected to the train robbery.

Series 4 (2024)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
series		Title [10]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [10][b]
191"Elysium"Nimer RashedRachael New (story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)7 January 2024 (2024-01-07)
Eliza has taken over the London office of Nash's agency. However, all but one of the employees have left in protest. She helps Duke investigate a robbery at an "elite gentlemen's club" (a brothel).
202"Six Feet Under"Nimer RashedSarah-Louise Hawkins14 January 2024 (2024-01-14)
One of Mr Potts's friends is murdered and he turns to Miss Scarlet because the police force is overwhelmed. At the end of the episode, Duke is forced to raid a gang's house despite being short on men and is shot in the chest.
213"Origins"Rachael NewBen Edwards (story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)21 January 2024 (2024-01-21)
Duke is in a coma following the shooting. He has a flashback to when the two first met and solved a murder he had witnessed. At the end of the episode, Duke wakes.
224"The Diamond Feather"Nimer RashedRachael New (story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)28 January 2024 (2024-01-28)
Nash returns to London and criticizes Miss Scarlet's handling of his agency. A diamond feather that belonged to Admiral Nelson has been stolen and the two are hired to find it. At the end of the episode, Duke confesses his love of Miss Scarlet to her and announces he will leave to join a New York City police program for a year.
235"The Calling"Rachael NewDan Muirden4 February 2024 (2024-02-04)
Eliza and Nash are still struggling to work together and cannot agree on a staff. They are hired to discover the cause of a gas explosion that killed three at a telephone company. After they solve the murder, Nash allows Eliza to choose whom to hire.
246"The Fugitive"Milos KodemoBen Edwards (story by Rachael New & Ben Edwards)11 February 2024 (2024-02-11)
Nash is accused of murder and goes into hiding. Eliza discovers the victim witnessed the murder of Nash's brother years ago and was killed by the murderer. At the end of the episode, Nash shoots and injures the murderer in self-defence and is jailed facing charges for abduction of the murderer and evading arrest. Phelps is promoted to head the division and take over Duke's role while he is in New York.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Series 1 and 2 were first broadcast in the UK on Alibi. These are the airdates shown here.
  2. ^ a b Series 3 and 4 were first broadcast in the US on PBS. These are the airdates shown here.
  3. ^ Some sources list the episode title as "Arabella's".[11][12]

Production

[edit]

The first series was filmed in Dublin, Ireland,[1][4] with exteriors of Eliza's home shot on Mount Pleasant Square, Ranelagh. The distinctive green dome of Mary Immaculate, Refuge of Sinners Church, Rathmines is visible in some street scenes. The police station where the Duke works is in fact the CBS Westland Row in Cumberland Street.[citation needed]

As of series 2, production moved to Belgrade, Serbia,[2] where it remains as of series 4.[3]

Broadcast

[edit]

The first series began broadcasting on Alibi in the United Kingdom on 31 March 2020,[8] and premiered in the United States on 17 January 2021, as part of PBS's Masterpiece anthology series.[10][14]

A second series was announced by PBS on 29 March 2021.[15] It first aired on Alibi in the UK on 14 June 2022,[9] and later on PBS in the US on 16 October 2022.[10]

Miss Scarlet and The Duke was later renewed for series three and four.[16] Series three premiered on PBS on 8 January 2023 with weekly installments,[10][17][18] though all episodes were made available via the membership video-on-demand service PBS Passport on 24 November 2022.[18][19] Episodes were also released weekly on Amazon Prime Video's PBS Masterpiece subscription channel beginning 24 November 2022.[18] Series four premiered on PBS on 7 January 2024 with weekly installments,[10][20] and all episodes made available that day via PBS Passport.[21]

The renewal announcement for series five also mentioned that actor Stuart Martin would be leaving the series, and his character William "The Duke" Wellington would be written off the show. As a result the show would be renamed Miss Scarlet starting with the fifth series.[22] Stuart Martin had made the decision himself to leave the show as he felt Miss Scarlet was being held back by The Duke's presence in her life, and the show had taken The Duke's character as far as he could go within the series[23] and that Scarlet's character could "explore new stories and challenges for now."[24] The creators said they chose not to kill Martin's character off because "we just thought it would be too final, too cruel for Eliza, for the audience, and quite frankly, would limit our options for the show going forward, I think. But at this point in their lives, I think Duke and Eliza aren’t ready to be together."[25]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Clarke, Stewart (3 December 2019). "PBS Masterpiece Picks Up A+E's Period Drama 'Miss Scarlet and the Duke'". Variety.
  2. ^ a b "'Miss Scarlet and The Duke' begins filming Season 2 in Belgrade". British Period Dramas. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Rice, Lynette (29 November 2022). "'Miss Scarlet And The Duke' Renewed For Fourth Season By Masterpiece". Deadline. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Irish-made Miss Scarlet and The Duke lands on Alibi". RTÉ.ie. 26 March 2020.
  5. ^ "MASTERPIECE Announces Miss Scarlet Season 5 and Casting News". PBS. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024. New Chapter Begins with Kate Phillips Returning; Series Bids Farewell to "The Duke"
  6. ^ Rice, Lynette (18 April 2024). "'Miss Scarlet' Casts Tom Durant Pritchard To Fill Void Left By The Duke". Deadline.
  7. ^ a b "Interview: Miss Scarlet and The Duke's Creator Rachael New". Masterpiece. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Miss Scarlet and the Duke Season 1: Episodes Guide and Summaries". Next Episode. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Miss Scarlet and the Duke Season 2: Episodes Guide and Summaries". Next Episode. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Shows A-Z – Miss Scarlet and The Duke on PBS". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Miss Scarlet & The Duke | Season 3 | Episode 2: Arabella's". PBS Passport. PBS. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Season 3". Prime Video. Amazon. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  13. ^ Lacob, Jace (22 January 2023). "Rachael New Takes A First Go-Round In The Director's Chair". Masterpiece. PBS. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Miss Scarlet & The Duke: Episode 1: 'Inheritance'". Masterpiece. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Masterpiece Announces Second Season of Miss Scarlet and The Duke". Masterpiece. 29 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Masterpiece Announces Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 4". Masterpiece. PBS. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  17. ^ Rice, Lynette (28 July 2022). "Miss Scarlet & The Duke Renewed For Season 3 At PBS Masterpiece". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  18. ^ a b c "Get Ready for Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 3". PBS. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Miss Scarlet and the Duke Season 3 Episodes List - Next Episode". next-episode.net.
  20. ^ "Everything to Know About Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 4".
  21. ^ "Miss Scarlet and the Duke Season 4 Episodes List - Next Episode". next-episode.net.
  22. ^ "MASTERPIECE Announces Miss Scarlet Season 5 and Casting News". PBS. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024. New Chapter Begins with Kate Phillips Returning; Series Bids Farewell to "The Duke"
  23. ^ Lacob, Jace (29 February 2024). "Stuart Martin Says Goodbye, Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 4". PBS. Retrieved 1 March 2024. ...Eliza, to see what that is like without Duke, to kind of allow her to be not held back by Duke." "(Stuart) felt that he'd taken the character as far as he could go, and that this would be the natural point for Duke to leave.
  24. ^ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/masterpiece-announces-miss-scarlet-season-5-and-casting-news/
  25. ^ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/podcasts/masterpiece-studio/stuart-martin-says-goodbye-miss-scarlet-and-the-duke-season-4-masterpiece-studio
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