It’s no surprise to anyone that I’m a book series junkie. I love to follow the same characters through multiple twists and turns over the course of several books, both as a writer and as a reader. So, it’s probably no surprise that I am a tv series junkie, too. A couple years ago, I stumbled across a show on PBS Masterpiece called MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE. I really loved this show about 19th century London’s first female detective and the gruff Scotland Yard inspector who balances his frustration with her against his reluctant admiration–and attraction.
BUT….
****WARNING***** This rest of this post contains HUGE SPOILERS about Season 4 of MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE that affects the REST OF THE SERIES******
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****Okay, you’ve been warned!****
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I just finished watching Season 4. As soon as I did, I Googled the show since I had such a “WTF?” response to how the season ended. Now, with my worst fears confirmed, I am SO mad. So, this is a rant with lots of all-caps words, and yes, I do get this worked up over the small things in life, heh. As I said–story addict.
Look, showrunners, PBS Masterpiece, network, and whoever else made this decision, don’t string me and other viewers along for four seasons and then pretend that the Duke (a.k.a. Inspector Wellington), who’s one of the MAIN TITLE CHARACTERS, isn’t necessary anymore. Worse, some of the explanations seem to pretend that viewers who are upset by the Duke’s abrupt character departure shouldn’t be because actually, they misunderstood the show’s real point this whole time.
WHAT?! That is such gaslighting bullsh-t.
Here’s apparently what happened: the actor for the Duke got contracted for bigger and better roles that didn’t allow him to continue this one, so he exited the show. I don’t blame him for that. I’m assuming there was no contract violation, so he would’ve been, essentially, a free agent. Free agents leave. It happens.
But, if one of the two main leads leaves, then the show should either RECAST THE ROLE (if its intending to continue), or end the series with a resolution that lives up to the show’s initial billing. Now, both options suck, I freely admit that. With option one, there probably would have been fan backlash to a recasting of the Duke’s character. Still, it seems the lesser of two evils than what happened, which is the show pretending that a foundational character with a four-season will-they-or-won’t-they relationship arc isn’t necessary anymore.
And what REALLY fries my bacon is the “Eh, you shouldn’t have cared so much about the relationship anyway” vibe that is given in response to people’s anger over the Duke being written out.
People, you sold viewers a feisty, friends-to-adversaries-to-maybe-more relationship set against the trials and tribulations of a woman battling 19th century sexism in pursuit of a detective career. You know you did. Don’t try to now say that it’s the viewers’ fault for being upset about the Duke’s exit because they shouldn’t have been so invested in that relationship. Again, I call bullsh-t.
Honestly, for myself, I would’ve preferred that they’d just ended the series in season 4 and left the characters in a a semi-happy place rather than this, which negates everything the first three seasons built up to.
Apparently, they’re changing Season 5’s name to just MISS SCARLET, which is truth in advertising, at least. And honestly, if that’s what the show would’ve been named from the start, I would have been less pissed. Then, the claim that “Well, this was really just a show about Eliza Scarlet the whole time” would’ve had far more truth to it.
But that isn’t what the show was called. It was MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE, giving viewers every reason to expect that BOTH those main characters would be in the show until its conclusion.
In short, I’m not watching Season 5, which is sad because the actress playing Eliza is great, plus I love the show’s quirky side characters. But this bait-and-switch after four seasons is unacceptable for me. There are too many other shows to watch that won’t screw me and other viewers over like this.
End rant.
So, am I alone here, anyone who’s watched the show? Or, have their been other shows that made you this mad when something pivotal changed from the inception to the end?
Sheryl R. Hayes says
My mother and I were big fans of the show, until the announcement of the fact that the actor playing The Duke wasn’t returning. I talked it over with some friends and we all came to the same conclusion – the show creators are breaking the fundamental promise of the story we were told we’d be getting. And none of us were happy about it.
In the beginning, I still would have been interested in the show even if it had not gone so heavy into focusing on the Scarlett/William relationship. But now that has been dismissed, along with the fan’s protests as us not understanding what the show was about, I’m not going to be watching it.
Jeaniene says
Yep. All of this.
L. Tillage says
I agree – Masterpiece needs to pay these actors more money. Same thing happened on Sanderton when Sidney left. That show was never the same after season one. So I probably wouldn’t watch season five of “Miss Scarlett”.
T says
Oh, it’s actually great that someone is as mad as I am about Duke being off the show! Admittedly, the actor who played the Duke was amazing in the role so maybe difficult to recast, but come on, this is Masterpiece! Really good actors would love to take on this part! What about the actor who played the younger Duke? He nailed it!! So, I’m out and feel totally cheated by the show’s switch to only Miss Scarlet. And the gaslighting didn’t help.
Jeaniene says
Agree with all of this!
Alana says
No one’s ever happy with a recast but you’re right – it is the lesser of two evils. Otherwise it changes everything and it’s just not right anymore. Also sorry not related but since I’m already here, will there be any books outside of Cat/Bones’s story / Bones POV in the future? Maybe about their adopted daughter or a new character? Or a different UF world? 🥹
Jeaniene says
I’m finishing up a book now that’s set in a brand new paranormal world. I would also like to write about Katie when she’s older, and of course, other books in my vampire world. So, yes, more coming!
Alana says
I’m so excited!!! 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️
Alana says
After a million books, Bones is still my absolute favorite followed by Slade/Rip and Curran ~ I recommend Night Huntress in almost every thread and fb post around 🥹
Cecily O'Connor says
I stopped watching after episode 4 for the exact same reasons you point out. We were led to believe all along this was an important relationship and then it just was dropped! Now it appears there’s a new handsome Scotland Yard guy stepping into the Duke’s role which will have the same back and forth (will they won’t they) situation as before. Maybe to appease those of us who dropped out? I don’t think I will watch. It gets tiresome.
Erin says
I’m livid about Stuart leaving. I understand that actors get their “big breaks” by playing roles like this but when they leave without bringing their character to a sensible conclusion (i.e. built up the Dukes character to finally be with Eliza), is just heartbreaking to those who watched them and supported them so that they could get those “big breaks”. My heart is broke. Shame on you Stuart.