Category: Series

Miss Scarlet & The Duke 1×04 Memento Mori

After last week’s case, Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) is disappointed to find out that Scotland Yard’s DI William “The Duke” Wellington (Stuart Martin) has claimed all credit for solving the case for himself. Her friend and business partner Rupert Parker (Andrew Gower) is likewise disappointed that his investment is not mentioned as this would have surely vexed his mother (Helen Norton). When German undertaker Herr Hildegard (Richard Evans) approaches Eliza in the street, she tries to brush him off, but becomes more interested when he mentions a potential new case.

James Henderson (Hugh O’Conor) is a “death photographer“, who specializes in capturing the images of the recently deceased for their loved ones, a custom that was weirdly popular in Victorian time where people were obsessed with death and the afterlife. James himself is now receiving threatening messages from beyond the grave after he got engaged to his daugher’s governess Amelia (Roisin Murphy). Is the ghost of James’ dead wife Violet (Amelie Metcalfe) trying to take revenge or is Amalia’s mother Edith (Marion O’Dwyer), a psychic, behind the mysterious postcards?

William gets a taste of what it feels like to be overlooked and prejudiced against in his chosen profession for himself while he must deal with the nosy journalist Jacob Bunce (Kevin Eldon). Rupert ponders the idea of giving in to his mother’s pressure and get married, if for appearances only. After Eliza laughs at his suggestion, she is surprised to see him pursuing a different prospect very quickly, but a discovery in her father’s (Kevin Doyle), former office distracts her and makes her question the circumstances of his sudden death.

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Miss Scarlet & The Duke 1×02 The Woman in Red

It’s been a couple of weeks since Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) has opened her own private detective ageny and things are not going quite as hoped for. Not many people in 19th century London are willing to hire a female detective. During her first monthly meeting with her financier Rupert Parker (Andrew Gower), who proudly presents her to his friend Dr Moorhouse (Kieran Hodgson), she has to admit she can’t pay the agreed rate.

Tabitha Butler’s (Deirdre Mullins) husband Edward (David Crowley) was found at the scene of a murder with the murder weapon his his hand. Tabitha hires Eliza to prove her husband’s innocence despite his confession. During her investigation she once again crosses paths with Jamaican bouncer Moses (Ansu Kabia) while The Duke tries his best to discourage Eliza from continuing on her “foolish” endeavour.

Eliza’s skills of deduction lead her back to Rupert, who takes a great risk by confiding a big secret to her, but the realization that they are both outsiders in a Victorian world, strengthens their bond and friendship. In the end even the Duke has to reluctantly acknowledge Eliza’s abilities are an asset, and a new business partner will help take care of her clients’ poor payment behaviour.

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Miss Scarlet and The Duke 1×01 Inheritance

Brought up by her widowed father Henry (Kevin Doyle), Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) is an educated, headstrong young woman living in Victorian London. When her father suddenly dies, she is left penniless and forced to pick up Henry’s business and become London’s first female detective in a time where women had little to no rights at all. Reluctantly she teams up with her father’s former protégé, Scotland Yard Detective Inspector William “The Duke” Wellington (Stuart Martin).

Eliza’s first client introduces himself as Alfred Winters (Aidan McArdle) who hopes to see his niece, Clara Simms (Ellise Chappell), one last time before he dies. Clara had eloped with her scoundrel husband and is now believed to work in Soho as a chorus girl. Despite the dangers the streets of London hold for a woman alone at night, Eliza manages to find Clara and arrange a meeting with her uncle. Belatedly, Eliza realizes she has made a grave mistake and vows to correct it.

Back at her house, Eliza finds a visitor in her parlour. Rupert Parker (Andrew Gower) is a wealthy young man, whose domineering mother (Helen Norton) is extremely displeased about her only son’s unmarried status and forces him to propose to Eliza. Clearly terrified of his mother, Rupert confides in Eliza that he doesn’t want to be married. The two bond over the fact that they both crave independence and quickly discover that there is a different way for them to form a partnership.

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