Miss Scarlet and The Duke S1 & S2 Review: A Feel-Good Show!

I thought I would give you guys another review of a Victorian female detective. Miss Scarlet and The Duke came out a couple years ago and it’s one of my favourites. Season 3 is actually set to premiere in January. Season 2 sees Elizabeth Scarlet (Kate Phillips) really coming into her own as a detective. She’s managed to keep her father’s agency afloat and has even acquired some high profile clients. And of course, the will they won’t they story between her and her most trusted confidant William “The Duke” Wellington (Stuart Martin) keeps us swooning and heavily invested in these characters.

Related: HBO’s House of the Dragon S1 Series Review

The chemistry between Eliza and William is one of the pillars of Miss Scarlet and The Duke. Their shared interest for their work builds a bond and peership that’s truly beautiful to watch. It’s near maddening how the writers tease us with glimpses of a romance. It’s (very) slow going but I actually prefer that, especially for a story set in Victorian times when an unmarried woman smiling at a man was considered seduction. (God forbid they show some ankles.) No but seriously, it’s true to society’s propriety of the time and even though their flame may be slow burning, the heat is no less intense.

This season actually introduced a new man into Eliza’s life who shares her sleuthing interests. A very different character to Inspector Wellington, Patrick Nash (Felix Scott) seems to be a cheeky sort who’s not above resorting to blackmail and bribery to get the answers he needs. (I suppose it’s not much different from Eliza’s methods.) He even presents her with a tempting offer. Viewers are left to wonder what his introduction will mean for our fearless heroine and William’s relationship. Somehow I doubt these two men would get along.

Season 2 introduces many challenges for William, one of which is being tasked with making a hapless case of a young man into a functional detective. Watching the relationship between mentor and mentee is entertaining and we just know if anyone is up to it, it’s Inspector Wellington. Scarlet also takes a young woman under her wing, Hattie Parker (Jessica Cave). Their relationship is interesting because she shows Hattie that there can be a different life for women. One that doesn’t force her to put her own dreams and desires on hold in service of someone else’s.

Eliza is a feminist through and through and that means an often lonely and isolating life in Victorian times. Yet her work is where she’s happiest and it’s doubtful that she’d trade it all in for a ring. While she does want companionship, it would take a special sort of man (William) to make her a wife. I’m always impressed at how skillfully they’re able to fit so much into just six episodes. They should be applauded for how much they achieve with such a short run time.

Related: The Empress Review – Enjoyable for Period-Romance Fans!

My only real criticism is that I wish there were more episodes per season. The writers are also able to keep viewers on their toes by skillfully diverting attention away from the true perpetrators until the very end. Something that’s essential in sleuthing shows. This season saw Eliza and William’s relationship blossom into something more than friendship or a shared respect for each other’s professionalism. Both afraid to say much less act on how they feel. I’m excited to see where Season 3 takes these two. Definitely one of my feel good shows. I’d highly recommend it to fans of period dramas/romance or detective shows. Can’t wait for Season 3!

‘Miss Scarlet and the Duke’ Rating – 3.25/5

Follow Jennifer (the Author) on Socials
Instagram – @islandgirlreview
Tiktok – @theislandreview