‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ Is Set in the Past, but When Exactly Does It Take Place?

‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ Is Set in the Past, but When Exactly Does It Take Place?

The PBS show Miss Scarlet & the Duke follows Eliza Scarlet as she takes the reins of her family business and becomes a private investigator after her father’s death. She finds the Duke, one of her father’s old connections who’s an investigator with Scotland Yard, and while he’s dismissive at first, the two become friends and solve cases together. Most people are confused when Miss Scarlet introduces herself as an investigator as they can’t imagine a woman doing the job. So, when did this story take place?

The costume design of Miss Scarlet & the Duke may give away when the story is set, as all the men are wearing suits and top hats while the ladies all wear long gowns with feathery hats. Or, perhaps the setting itself may give away the year, as horse-drawn carriages fill the dirty cobblestone streets of a London, lit by oil lamps. It’s clear that Miss Scarlet & the Duke is set in the past, but is there an exact time when it takes place?

Everyone around Eliza is constantly trying to put her in a box, and yet her resolve to do good by her father and prove herself to all the people doubting her prevents her from quitting. Miss Scarlet & the Duke uses the 1800s London setting to make Eliza a more compelling character —as someone who must rise above adversity. The dynamic of Victorian London’s sexism also creates tension between Eliza and the Duke, which helps both of them grow and realize that they care for each other.
Miss Scarlet and The Duke was created by Rachael New, based on a character created by Thomas Livermore (having been inspired by his grandfather, who wasn’t a police officer, so the police may as well not figure into the deal).
It’s set in 1882 and, while it’s essentially Victorian London, with all the fog, crime, and ills associated with it, it’s not a direct analogue.
Its primary focus is not crime.
It tells a story about a female investigator and her relationship with her male partner.
And, that’s pretty much the only way to talk about it without going into spoiler territory and spoiling the fun if you feel like having some.
Eliza Scarlet, played by Kate Phillips (Nessa of Peaky Blinders, among many other things) is the titular Miss Scarlet.
Her father William, played by Kevin Doyle of Downton Abbey, has been a private investigator, thanks to his early association with Scotland Yard, namely with The Duke (Ryan Fletcher of Outlander, The Terror, and Guilt) who has since become a detective at Scotland Yard.
Upon William’s death, he entrusts the mantle on to Eliza and requests that The Duke see to her well-being.
Early on in the story, you see this as an extreme form of patriarchal control.
Elements of control creep into every aspect of Eliza’s life.
She has to fight to preserve her father’s business, including staving off the buyer’s remorse felt by Edward Bontemps, who insists on having a ‘real detective’ look into the matter.
Eventually, she manages to get the attention of Scotland Yard, who later enlist her help in solving a murder case.
It’s always going to be a fight.
Bontemps’ regret, even when its overpowered by other emotions and sensibilities, consistently threatens to pull financial support from Scarlet Investigations.
There appears to be no end to the condescension, but that doesn’t keep Eliza from persevering.
Playing against Kate Phillips is Ryan Fletcher as the Duke, who plays eminently well with most of the main characters, with a tight grasp on Vincent Brimble’s frustrations and the interconnected nature of his relationships.
Friendship in male-male relationships is rarely depicted in media.
The only instance I can remember is *Sherlock* and people forget that one half of that relationship makes his living as a forensic doctor.
But the friendship isn’t the primary relationship in *Sherlock*.
It’s not the case in *Miss Scarlet and the Duke*.
Instead, the focal relationship is the relationship between Eliza and the Duke.
And even before the romance starts, the friendships between Ryan Fletcher and his male co-stars are a departure from the usual good cop-bad cop or ineffectual second character archetypes that male characters expend so much.
If there’s anything to be said about male lifelong friendships, you are going to see them enacted in the show.
Both Kate Phillips and Ryan Fletcher show considerable range and ability in their roles.
It shouldn’t be surprising, seeing as well recognized as the two of them are by other actors.
Both are flawless in their depiction of their characters.
Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be surprising given the pedigree of the rest of the cast.
Jack Farthing play Edward Bontemps, Eliza’s condescending and shameless caricature of a wealthy-beyond-good-measure, Lord-beholden fop.
Stuart Martin has most of his characterization in his eyes, but Sam Gerard goes all-in on the role; especially when the human side of Vincent Brimble is revealed.

The show is an entertaining watch that succeeds in making you empathize with the going-ons of Victorian London, subject as you are to the nuances of the era.
It’s available on PBS Masterpiece YouTube and on RPX.
‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is Set in the Past, but When Exactly Does It Take Place?

‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is a nostalgic look at Victorian England in the mid to late 1800s. The show is filled with jaw-dropping sets, costumes, and props that provide its audiences with an unmatched glimpse into the past. But just when does ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ take place?

What is ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ About?

Set in Victorian London, ‘ Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is a six-part BBC drama that follows the adventures of Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) and William Wellington (Stuart Martin). Eliza is a headstrong young woman determined to make a name for herself in a man’s world. But to do so, she must convince William to help her form her own detective agency. Along the way, they are repeatedly challenged to solve a variety of mysteries, while maintaining their blooming relationship in check.

When Does ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ Take Place?

‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is carefully set in the late 1800s, just after the Victorian era. The fashion, scenery, and characters present an accurate representation of the time period. Though the show does not explicitly state the exact year or date, the stories, props, and costumes provide fans with plenty of clues.

Frequently Asked Questions About ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’

• What is ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ about?

  – ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is a six-part BBC drama set in Victorian London, about headstrong Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) and William Wellington (Stuart Martin) teaming up to form a detective agency.

• What time period does ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ take place in?

  – ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is carefully crafted to represent Victorian England just after the Victorian era in the late 1800s.

• What clues or hints does the show provide about its historical setting?

  – ‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is filled with props, costumes, and stories that provide fans with plenty of clues about its historical setting.

Summary

‘Miss Scarlet & the Duke’ is a nostalgic look at Victorian England in the mid to late 1800s. Set in Victorian London, the show follows the adventures of Eliza Scarlet and William Wellington as they team up to form a detective agency. Though the show does not explicitly state the exact year or date, the stories, props, and costumes provide fans with plenty of clues. Set in the late 1800s, just after the Victorian era, the show is filled with jaw-dropping sets, costumes, and props that provide its audiences with an unmatched glimpse into the past.