Reception to Miss Scarlet and the Duke - Season 4 has been sharply divided.
PBS has remained tight-lipped about Season 5, but the finale’s open ending suggests the door is open for Stuart Martin to return. However, given the narrative thrust, it seems more likely that the show will continue as a straightforward vehicle for Kate Phillips, with the "Duke" now a memory rather than a character.
Miss Scarlet and the Duke - Season 4 is a eulogy for the show that was and a baptism for the show that will be. By killing the tension between its leads, the writers have accidentally created a leaner, more propulsive crime drama. The Duke may have sailed to New York, but Miss Scarlet has finally arrived in London.
For those willing to let go of the past, Season 4 offers the sharpest writing, the highest stakes, and the most authentic portrayal of a single, working woman in the 19th century since Victoria. Stream it on PBS Masterpiece or Amazon Prime Video. Just bring tissues—not for the mystery, but for the goodbye.
Have you watched Season 4? Do you prefer Eliza with the Duke or Alexander Blake? Let us know in the comments below.
Season 4 of Miss Scarlet and the Duke is widely regarded by reviewers as a season of major transitions, marked by significant character growth and a controversial departure that shifts the series' core dynamic. Critical Reception & Key Highlights
Most reviews praise the season for its emotional depth and the long-awaited resolution of specific plot threads. Miss Scarlet and the Duke - Season 4
Flashback Revelations: A standout moment for many was the "Origins" episode, which finally showed Eliza and William’s first meeting and their "stolen kiss" from 12 years prior.
Character Evolution: Eliza is noted for becoming more humble and professional as she takes the reins of the Nash & Sons agency, while William finally admits his feelings after seasons of "will-they-won’t-they" tension.
Shift in Dynamic: The season leans more into the partnership between Eliza and Patrick Nash, whose supportive and organic friendship has become a fan favorite. Major Plot Points & Themes
The narrative follows Eliza as she navigates a series of challenging cases that range from a high-end brothel burglary to a tragic explosion at a telephone company.
Professional Challenges: Eliza begins the season in charge of Nash’s London office, only for her entire staff (except Clarence) to quit in protest.
Romantic Resolution & Departure: The season reaches a "crisis point" when William receives an offer to work in New York. This leads to a tender, bittersweet farewell that serves as a temporary goodbye while he pursues his own professional path. Reviewer Criticisms Reception to Miss Scarlet and the Duke -
Despite positive feedback on the script and acting, some viewers and critics expressed disappointment:
Here’s a deep, critical review of Miss Scarlet and the Duke - Season 4, focusing on its narrative evolution, character dynamics, tonal shifts, and what it means for the series moving forward.
Fans desperate for romance will not be entirely disappointed, but they will be surprised. Episode 5, set during a torrential downpour, features a scene between Eliza and Alexander Blake that has been dubbed by fans as "The Carriage Scene."
Trapped in a stalled carriage during a storm, Blake confesses that he isn't helping her for justice, but because he is "infatuated with her stubbornness." It’s a raw, whiskey-soaked confession that feels earned. However, unlike her moments with the Duke, Eliza does not blush. She analyzes. She asks, "Are you confessing love or leverage?"
This moment defines Season 4. Eliza Scarlet is no longer a girl waiting to be chosen. She is a woman deciding who is worthy of her partnership. By the finale, she kisses Blake—not with passion, but with calculation. It is a kiss of acceptance, not surrender.
The most pressing question on every fan's mind entering Miss Scarlet and the Duke - Season 4 was simple: Where is the Duke? Following the emotional finale of Season 3, William (played by Stuart Martin) made a life-altering decision. Instead of continuing to circle around Eliza’s orbit, he accepted a promotion to become the Chief Inspector of a new police force in New York. PBS has remained tight-lipped about Season 5, but
In a bold narrative move, the writers chose not to resolve this distance quickly. For the first several episodes, Eliza and the Duke operate on opposite sides of the Atlantic. He appears via telegram and brief, aching voiceovers, but the physical chemistry that crackled across their shared desk at Scotland Yard is now an ocean apart.
This decision was controversial among purists, but it serves a crucial purpose: it forces Eliza to evolve beyond her reliance on the Duke’s badge.
If the Duke is order, Alexander Blake is chaos. Introduced as a morally grey fixer with a silk scarf and a silver tongue, Blake is the most dangerous addition to Season 4. He isn't interested in rules; he is interested in results.
The chemistry between Phillips and Durant-Pritchard is electric but entirely different from her dynamic with Martin. Where the Duke represented safety and frustration, Blake represents temptation and danger. He challenges Eliza’s rigid morality, asking her, "If you catch the killer but ruin an innocent man’s life to do it, are you still a good detective?"
This philosophical divide becomes the season’s central conflict. Miss Scarlet and the Duke - Season 4 renames itself internally to Miss Scarlet and the Rogue. Blake does not replace the Duke; he contrasts him. He pushes Eliza toward the dark alleys of Victorian London, both literally and metaphorically.