Last Updated on September 11, 2023
The 19th century set crime drama “Miss Scarlet and The Duke” is coming to PBS Masterpiece as part of its 50th Season celebration.
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With her inquisitive mind, Miss Scarlet has always been more interested in running her late father’s detective agency than behaving like a proper lady. But nothing has prepared her for the dangers she is about to face as a woman in the murder investigation trade.
Read on for details about the new British period drama, premiere date, trailer, and to see a photo, exclusively for Willow and Thatch readers.
The new period series “Miss Scarlet and The Duke” stars Kate Phillips as Eliza Scarlet, Victorian London’s first female detective. Left penniless after the death of her father (Downton Abbey’s Kevin Doyle), fearless and independent Eliza is determined to take over his detective agency. She’s been watching her father wield the tricks of his trade for years, even if she’s never had the chance to use them herself.
It’s the 1800s, a time when women are expected to marry, not work in a man’s world, and Eliza is savvy enough to know that if she is to have financial security, she’ll need a business partner. Enter Detective Inspector William Wellington of Scotland Yard. Known as Duke (played by Stuart Martin), he’s the drinking, gambling and womanizing kind. The duo’s chemistry is fiery and smoldering, and if they can handle each other, romance will get added to the partnership.
Before she took on the role of our latest headstrong heroine, Kate Phillips starred in other costume dramas: she recently played Linda Shelby in “Peaky Blinders,” Princess Mary in the “Downton Abbey” film, Susan in “The Aftermath” and Tillie Zeigler in “My Mother and Other Strangers.” Fans of “The Crown” will know her as Venetia Scott. Earlier roles in historical series include Lise Bolkonskaya in “War & Peace,” and notably Jane Seymour in “Wolf Hall.”
Period drama fans will recognize Stuart Martin from his role as Silas Sharrow in “Jamestown,” and as Lorenzo in “Medici.”
“Miss Scarlet and The Duke” also stars Ansu Kabia (World on Fire) as Moses, a useful crook from Jamaica, and Andrew Gower (Carnival Row) as Rupert Parker, Eliza’s champion and friend who helps her launch her detective agency.
The new six-part period drama was penned by “Grantchester” writer Rachael New and filmed in Dublin, Ireland. Irish born director Declan O’Dwyer (Robin Hood, Merlin) likens “Miss Scarlet” to a Victorian “Moonlighting,” adding, in an interview with andrew-gower.co.uk, that the “show doesn’t take itself too seriously – but it does expose the prejudices society put on women in the Victorian era and draws many parallels to society today.”
“Miss Scarlet and The Duke” premieres on MASTERPIECE in the US on Sunday January 17, 2021 at 8pm. All episodes are available to stream here.
Watch the official teaser trailer below.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to see The Period Films List, with the best British, historical and costume dramas sorted by era.
Julia Rutter
February 7, 2021 at 4:16 pm (4 years ago)I have watched Miss S. and the Duke 3 times. I enjoy this time period, actors and costumes. Thank you OETA… continue with the great programming.
James
January 18, 2021 at 8:30 am (4 years ago)A British period drama copy of Remington Steele. Unlike most copies, this one looks fresh and fun even though the concept is stale.
Richard Campbell
January 17, 2021 at 8:00 am (4 years ago)I swear I’ve seen this drama before — or at least one very, very similar. Is this a series Masterpiece has obtained from another source? If not, was there another series that could be mistaken for this one?
Lacey
October 18, 2020 at 3:32 pm (4 years ago)The main difficulty in this series, as in the most recent season of “The Alienist” is that the politics overshadow the story. It is more important to yell from the rooftops, “Women had it bad then and now” than to tell a good story with that message woven in. This show, with all its finery, has a limited shelf life. It is not any good on its own, only as a placard on your lawn before the elections.
A specific example, Miss Scarlet wants to push her way into the “man’s world” of the consulting detective, but other than a talent for deduction and observation does little to actually learn her trade. There is more to the life of a “private investigator” than just finding clues, even if you are a man. You don’t, for example, go down to the seedy docks, walk into questionable bars, dressed in your afternoon finery, and be expected to be taken seriously. Sherlock Holmes knows you have to disguise yourself and blend in. Why doesn’t Eliza (or Sara Howard for that matter). She is always being told how mean the streets are. Shouldn’t she know that already? This is not a Thin Man movie or even Tommy & Tuppence. Miss Scarlet is trolling the streets of London, proclaiming that women have it rough, in totally impractical dress.
Even during this time, there were authors who had female protagonists solving crimes. Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. They presented good stories while reminding us of the inequality women face in the workplace. They did not expect their characters to be protected by starched petticoats.
We need more women PIs but for gosh sake remind them that this is a seedy business for men AND women. It is not only the prejudices of Victorian men they have to face but riff-raff of London who will slit your throat for a farthing.
irene mader
June 7, 2020 at 9:37 am (4 years ago)Masterpiece is the highlight of the week for me!
Constance L Leach
May 17, 2020 at 8:10 pm (4 years ago)Can’t WAIT–looks terrific!! Give a date-soon- Please!!
Debra E. Marvin
April 12, 2020 at 8:36 am (5 years ago)goodness. I think I need this now.
Carol S.
December 7, 2019 at 9:57 am (5 years ago)Sounds great! Who is the director? The name isn’t mentioned – only the he’s Irish born.
Willow and Thatch
December 7, 2019 at 6:25 pm (5 years ago)Whoops! Good catch. Sorry, it’s Declan O’Dwyer. We’ve updated the post.
Anne Chandler
December 6, 2019 at 10:44 am (5 years ago)Finally!
Lyn
December 5, 2019 at 11:03 am (5 years ago)Another lovely show to entertain on PBS!
Virginia Shisler
December 5, 2019 at 8:20 am (5 years ago)Love all PBS programs & series
Sally Hoffman
December 5, 2019 at 1:53 pm (5 years ago)Sounds like a re-make of “Remington Steele” in period costume!
Audrey
December 5, 2019 at 2:27 am (5 years ago)Love these shows