Stuart Martin’s Duke takes a backseat for much of Season 4. The actor had scheduling conflicts (he was starring in Rebel Moon ), but in-universe, William has been promoted to Detective Inspector and is more embroiled in Scotland Yard politics. He appears in only about half the episodes, and their shared screen time is minimal.
. The story begins with Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) taking over the London office of the Nash & Sons Detective Agency Miss Scarlet and the Duke - Season 4
In this episode, Emily and the Duke are invited to a high-society masquerade ball, where they must navigate the complex world of London's elite. However, when a guest is found dead, Emily must use her detective skills to unravel the mystery. Stuart Martin’s Duke takes a backseat for much of Season 4
Earlier seasons balanced Victorian coziness (gas lamps, corsets, witty banter) with genuine peril. Season 4 tips toward the latter. There’s a sense of urban decay—fog-choked alleys, desperate poverty, and violence that feels less choreographed. A mid-season episode involving a back-alley abortionist is surprisingly grim for a show that once felt like light entertainment. known for its sharp wit
The central premise remains: Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) runs her late father’s detective agency in Victorian London, battling sexism, poverty, and criminals. But Season 4 deliberately fractures the central partnership, forcing Eliza—and the audience—to question whether the show can survive without its titular duo in the same room.
The cobblestone streets of Victorian London are once again alive with the clatter of hooves and the whisper of scandal as Miss Scarlet and the Duke returns for its highly anticipated fourth season. The beloved period crime drama, known for its sharp wit, feminist grit, and undeniable chemistry, returns with higher stakes and a dynamic shift that promises to change the partnership of Eliza Scarlet and William Wellington forever.