The series Miss Scarlet and the Duke, which features several outstanding actors and actresses such as Katie Phillips, Stuart Martin, Kevin Doyle and Cathy Belton, has become a fan favorite since it aired in 2020, both because of its fantastic cast and its compelling storyline. The series attracted the attention of viewers, especially those interested in crime shows mixed with a dash of history, as Miss Scarlet and the Duke contains both.
Eliza and William from Miss Scarlet and the Duke
In this article, we’ve tried to take a look at what Miss Scarlet is about and answer the frequently asked questions about the series. Without further ado, let’s get straight to the point!
What is Miss Scarlet and the Duke?
Miss Scarlet and the Duke is a crime drama TV series.
Miss Scarlet and the Duke is a British-Irish crime drama television series, which premiered on March 31, 2020 on Alibi, a British pay TV channel. The series was then purchased by PBS and first aired in the U.S. on January 17, 2021 as part of the PBS’s Masterpiece anthology series. The first season of the critically acclaimed series consists of six episodes, each running 60 minutes. Fortunately, it was announced by PBS that the series will be renewed for a 2nd season.
Also read: Miss Scarlet and the Duke Season 2 Release Date, Trailer – Is it Canceled?
Who’s Eliza Scarlet in Miss Scarlet and the Duke?
Eliza Scarlet in Miss Scarlet and the Duke
Eliza Scarlet is a young woman who lives in the Victorian era and becomes penniless after the unexpected death of her father. It’s common knowledge that a woman in the Victorian era was primarily financially secure by marrying a wealthy man. Eliza, however, is a strong and independent woman. Regardless of society’s expectations of her as a woman, she wants to fend for herself and decides to run her father’s detective agency on her own. Thus, she becomes the first female detective in Victorian England.
Fortunately, there have always been women like Eliza Scarlet who go against the grain and do what they want. Most of Jane Austen’s female characters, for example, have been an inspiration to anyone who wants to be headstrong and independent in a male-dominated society. The character of Eliza Scarlet was inspired in this sense by the character development of Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, one of Austen’s most beloved and admired characters.
Katie Phillips as Eliza Scarlet
The role of Eliza is played by 32-year-old British actress Katie Phillips. She made her television debut in the miniseries Wolf Hall. She went on to star in several TV series, including The Crown and War and Peace, both of which received critical acclaim. Phillips is known for her recurring role as Linda Shelby in Peaky Blinders. She also starred as Princess Mary in the 2019 historical drama Downton Abbey.
Why is William Called the Duke in Miss Scarlet?
William Wellington, aka the Duke
William Wellington (played by Stuart Martin) is a detective inspector who was found on the streets of London by Henry Scarlet (Eliza’s father) and was cared for by him until he successfully graduated from the police academy. In the police force, William is known as “the Duke” as a reference to the Duke of Wellington, probably because he carries the name of the place in his last name.
Is Miss Scarlet and the Duke a True Story?
No, Miss Scarlet and the Duke isn’t based on a true story. It’s pure fiction, written by Rachael New and directed by Declan O’Dwyer. The PBS Masterpiece series, on the other hand, features elements and historical events from Victorian England. Eliza’s struggle to make a living as a working woman, for example, was a reality for most women in the Victorian era. The series also makes reference in the 3rd episode to the suffragette movement, a political movement of women that took place in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century. You can watch the 2015 film Suffragette starring Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham Carter, and Carey Mulligan for a closer look at suffragette women.
Also read: Miss Scarlet And The Duke Cast – Ages, Partners, Characters
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