So, it finally happened. After seasons of "will-they-won't-they" tension that basically drove the Masterpiece fandom up a wall, the show isn't even called Miss Scarlet and The Duke anymore. It's just Miss Scarlet. Honestly, the rebranding for Miss Scarlet Season 5 is one of the gutsiest moves PBS has made in years because they're essentially asking the audience to forget the central dynamic that built the show’s entire foundation.
Stuart Martin is gone.
His departure as William "The Duke" Wellington felt like a punch to the gut for long-time viewers. For four years, we watched Eliza Scarlet, played by the consistently brilliant Kate Phillips, trade barbs with the Duke across the fog-drenched streets of Victorian London. Their chemistry was the engine. Now, heading into Miss Scarlet Season 5, the engine has been swapped out for something entirely different. It’s a massive gamble. Can a show about a female private eye in the 1880s survive when half of its title—and most of its romantic tension—walks out the door?
Why the Duke Left and What It Means for Season 5
There’s no scandal here, just the boring reality of actor contracts and creative timing. Stuart Martin felt like the Duke’s story had reached a natural conclusion. Whether fans agree with that is another story entirely. Most of us wanted a wedding, or at least a kiss that lasted longer than a heartbeat. Instead, the writers had to pivot.
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The transition started at the end of Season 4, but Miss Scarlet Season 5 has to do the heavy lifting of proving Eliza can carry the narrative solo. Well, not entirely solo. She’s still got her ragtag team of associates, but the void left by the Duke is massive. The show is leaning hard into Eliza’s growth as a business owner. She’s no longer just the daughter of a famous detective trying to prove herself; she’s the head of the agency, and the stakes feel weirdly more personal this time around.
Rachael New, the show's creator, hasn't shied away from the fact that this is a "new chapter." By dropping "The Duke" from the title, the production team is signaling a permanent shift. They aren't just waiting for him to come back in a guest spot (though we can all keep our fingers crossed for a series finale cameo). They are rebuilding the world around Eliza’s ambition.
The New Face in Town: Enter Tom Durant Pritchard
To fill the massive, Duke-shaped hole in the cast, the show has brought in Tom Durant Pritchard. He’s playing Alexander Blake, a former soldier who joins the Force.
Wait. A new detective? At Scotland Yard? Who clashes with Eliza?
If that sounds familiar, it's because it's meant to be. But the writers are being careful not to make Blake a "Duke Lite." From what we’ve seen of the production notes and early teasers, Blake has a different energy. He’s not as steeped in the "old guard" traditions as William was. There’s a certain ruggedness there, sure, but the dynamic with Eliza is built more on professional skepticism than decades of shared childhood history.
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It’s refreshing, actually.
The Eliza/Duke dynamic was weighted down by so much baggage. They knew each other’s fathers. They grew up together. Blake is a blank slate. He doesn't know Eliza’s tricks. He hasn't seen her fail or succeed over twenty years. This gives Kate Phillips a chance to play Eliza with a bit more of an edge. She has to earn his respect from scratch, which takes us back to the roots of why the show worked in the first place—the underdog story.
Navigating the 1880s Without a Safety Net
Victorian London in Miss Scarlet Season 5 feels grittier. Maybe that’s just the cinematography shifting, or maybe it’s the fact that Eliza doesn't have a high-ranking Inspector to bail her out when she breaks the law—which she does, frequently.
The cases this season are leaning into the social anxieties of the era. We're talking about the rise of forensic science, the shifting roles of women in the workforce, and the sheer corruption of the Metropolitan Police. Without the Duke there to act as a buffer between Eliza and the "boys' club" of the Yard, Eliza has to rely more on Nash (the wonderful Felix Scott).
Nash has always been one of the best parts of the show. His banter with Eliza is top-tier. In Miss Scarlet Season 5, their partnership is pushed to the forefront. There's a mutual respect there that feels more modern than her relationship with the Duke. Nash doesn't want to protect her; he wants to profit with her. It’s a cynical, fun, and very pragmatic relationship that keeps the show from becoming too much of a period-piece melodrama.
What Fans Are Getting Wrong About the Rebrand
There is a loud corner of the internet claiming the show is "ruined" because the romance is gone. I get it. I really do. But if you look at the actual ratings and the critical reception of the later Season 4 episodes, the show was starting to spin its wheels with the "Duke" dynamic. There are only so many times a guy can tell a woman "stay out of this case" before it gets repetitive.
Miss Scarlet Season 5 is a soft reboot.
It’s an acknowledgment that Eliza Scarlet is a character strong enough to lead a series without a romantic foil being the primary draw. The "Miss Scarlet" title change isn't just a subtraction; it’s an evolution. The show is becoming a true procedural in the vein of Miss Marple or Sherlock, where the detective’s personality—not their dating life—is the main attraction.
Production Details and Where to Watch
Production for Miss Scarlet Season 5 took place primarily in Belgrade, Serbia, which has doubled for Victorian London since the show's inception. It’s incredible what they can do with a few cobblestone streets and a lot of fog machines. The costumes remain a highlight—Eliza’s signature jewel-toned outfits are still serving as a sharp contrast to the grey, soot-stained background of the city.
For those keeping track of the release:
- Platform: PBS Masterpiece in the US, Alibi in the UK.
- Episodes: The standard six-episode arc.
- Cast Returns: Expect to see Ivy (Cathy Belton) and Fitzroy (Evan McCabe) back in the mix, providing that sense of continuity that the show desperately needs right now.
The inclusion of Fitzroy is particularly important. His growth from a bumbling, "nepotism hire" into a capable detective has been one of the most rewarding slow-burn arcs in the series. Seeing him navigate the Yard without his mentor, the Duke, is going to be a major subplot in Miss Scarlet Season 5.
The Verdict on the New Direction
Is it the same show? No. Is that a bad thing? Probably not.
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Miss Scarlet Season 5 is dealing with the reality of television longevity. Shows that refuse to change eventually die. By embracing the departure of a lead actor and leaning into the "independent woman" angle of the protagonist, Miss Scarlet is positioning itself to last for several more years.
The mystery remains the core. The puzzles are still intricate. The dialogue is still fast-paced and witty. If you can get past the lack of the Duke’s brooding presence, there is a very sophisticated detective show underneath.
How to prepare for the new season:
- Rewatch the Season 4 Finale: It’s crucial for understanding the emotional state Eliza is in when Season 5 kicks off. She’s not just moving on professionally; she’s grieving a partnership.
- Follow the Masterpiece Studio Podcast: They often drop behind-the-scenes interviews with Kate Phillips and the writers that explain the "why" behind the creative shifts.
- Pay attention to Blake: Don't dismiss the new guy immediately. Watch how he handles Eliza’s interference—it’s the barometer for how the show's tone has shifted.
- Check your local PBS listings: Schedules vary wildly by region, and the PBS Passport app usually gets the episodes earlier than the broadcast air date.
The era of the Duke is over, but the era of Eliza Scarlet is just getting started. It’s a bold move, but if anyone can pull off a solo act in high-heeled boots and a corset, it’s her.