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 had a scheduling conflict, so he exited the show. 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.
Jane says
Yes I’m not interested in the show without Stuart as The Duke. The last time I was this mad was with Theo James not coming back to Sanditon, another Masterpiece show. The fans fought to renew the show because they wanted to see where he and the heroine would go…and when they finally GOT the renewal, he had White Lotus so he just “noped” out. My mom watched the rest of the seasons, but without him, it didn’t make sense to me and I didn’t like the two love interests they tried to shoehorn in there. So the show died for me.
And don’t get me started on Victoria, having a cliffhanger ending and then just abruptly over. I hate to say this but it’s getting to be a habit with Masterpiece by this point disappointing their audiences. I’ll have to be cautious about falling in love with any more shows from PBS/Masterpiece from now on, with this track record.
Lucinda Lane says
I will not watch Season 5. Tired of being manipulated by the money changers.
M wilkins says
Beecham House was lovely, incredible actors and production – but left in a cliffhanger and not renewed.
Pat says
Thanks for giving us this piece and a place to rant! I too am a book series junkie and love to see how series are adapted for the screen. After the exit of the Duke I too am moving on. Although not on Masterpiece I was disappointed when the characters from Donna Leon’s book series inspector Brunetti and his wife was re cast after the first 4 episodes of the German tv adaptation of the books but at least they kept both characters and we could continue to see the relationship. Although their relationship in Leon’s books is not as central as that between Miss Scarlet and the Duke it is an important aspect of the dynamics of the full story and I was glad that was respected in the recasting process. Here they’re dissing the importance of the relationship and our understanding of it by not recasting the Duke.. Just not interested in a series with only Miss Scarlet and her solo journey fighting a male dominated system. There are lots of other series with that central element. What made this interesting and in fact feel more realistic than some was the dynamic between Scarlet and the Duke. Yes I too am moving on..
Sharlene V Nicholson says
I agree with all the comments. I will not be watching going henceforth.
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”.
Shonda says
I feel the same way but I am curious to see how they will spin it.
Sharon Turner says
They should have recast him. Would it have been that hard?? I think not 🫤
Jennifer says
Yes. I agree with all of you. I feel like I’ve been had, as in GOTCHA! They think their audience is stupid and set us up for a fall when they try to tell us we’re overreacting to Stuart leaving. It’s so disappointing on many levels. Disappointed that Stuart Martin didn’t commit to the end either.
Jo says
I used to love this show but by season 4 it was such a dumpster fire that you have to wonder if the actor blindsided them with his announcement. Too bad because it started out STRONG. Season 1 was perfect in almost every way – the train running behind Scotland Yard, the way they captured the grittiness of 1882 London, the camera angles, the acting, the music, etc. The only weakness was the final plot. Who didn’t know Moses wasn’t going to be the bad guy in a script written in the 21st century? Glad he wasn’t because we got to keep him a while longer, but the way he was fingered meant there was only one person it could be, and that was before episode 6 even started. However, I digress. The series went downhill from an almost perfect season 1. Whatever the reason for the actor’s departure, whether he thought he had better opportunities, a dust-up between personalities, a personal situation, etc., one thing for certain is that it wasn’t for the reason they gave us (the character was all played out). Sorry I wasted the time.
Lori says
Thank you for stating all of my exact thoughts and feelings so eloquently!!
Susan Howard says
I agree with the posts here. Ive been watching British TV- via PBS-for decades now,and this is the norm for them. Pretty soon, look for a US rendition of this series. The Brits do that a lot.
Matilde vallejos says
Well said everyone. I was unhappy about how abruptly the Duke was eliminated! Specially since he’s so sexy and I enjoyed looking at him. The show will not be the same without him so I’m finished watching it.
AC says
agreed
Ro says
The actor that played the Duke. Was such a stud!!! Should have been a James Bond…..
The whole “hook” of this shop was the sexual tension between the 2.
Will miss it!
maria Morano says
i like all the actors so i will continue watching – of course i’ ll miss the duke but as life happens to many – relationships end and new ones begin
Debra Berryman says
I hate that The Duke is leaving also. I love the show, with the Duke. I will watch the first show of season 5, then decide if I will watch the rest of the season.
Tina says
So disappointed.. I’ve been eagerly awaiting next season and wtah? I mean no disrespect to Scarlet, as she is lovely but come on.. I missed Rupert as soon as he left and I adore Hattie but I really can’t move on without William.
Evelynn says
It would have been great if they had Scarlett and the Duke marry for at least one romantic night. After that, the Duke could have received the offer to transfer to the States leaving Scarlett behind. Then they would have been able to end the marriage/relationship at a later date. It would have left the fans happier moving into the next season. Timing is important! Disappointed too!
Alexa says
“He felt that he’d taken the character as far as he could go, and that this would be the natural point for Duke to leave.” It wasn’t the show creator’s fault. It’s sad that you have decided not to watch it anymore. I am also disappointed; however, I have watched enough of these kinds of shows actors come and go all the time. I will watch season 5 and any others they might release. It will be interested to see what happens next without her connection to the police.
Birdie Rieck says
It would have been better to have killed him off. But I was really getting tired of the on/off dishonesty of their relationship.
Joanne Clarke says
I won’t be watching series 5 either, The Duke and his interaction with Scarlet was my whole reason for watching.
With him gone and the loss of their banter there no reason to watch it.
Really sad abd really annoying ending.
Gina Jeter says
Would t it have been nice if there was more to their relationship—— a touching scene in the hospital instead of her yelling at him to wake up? A Victorian bath scene in one of those bed rooms in a tub? A spanking because Scarlett’s constantly embarrassed him and would never listen when her life would be in grave danger—-some hugs and kisses rather than him hissing her in the closing scene like he was kissing a wall. At least one time where she brought him some pleasure instead of her only thinking of the next case and herself?
I am 82 and could have written a better script!,,
Kiki says
Here! Here! They seemed to not care that we are particular when it comes to man in a cravat. If they weren’t able to stay with Stuart Martin and recasted with Hugh Jackman then all would be forgiven. But alas they didn’t take the viewers as being upset with their decision. And the “took the character as far as it could go” the exact phrase that was used with Theo James. Stopped watching Sandition as well after that. I am off to find my period drama fix elsewhere.
Joan L Nilson says
I personally think that Stuart Martin got tired of the “tease” of the potential physical relationship with Eliza. It had to either go forward or end. And for him to go to NY at the end on Season 4, supposedly because he loved her too much and couldn’t live without her made absolutely no sense.
I thought the chemistry between Eliza and the Duke was electric.
I’ll take a look at the first few episodes of Season 5….but I don’t have any great hopes.
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.
K H says
I’m equally frustrated and not interested in season 5 without the Duke.
Merrianne Geisdorf says
I have been watching for some time as well. Yes, without the Duke, not interested!! Bummer!!
Gina Jeter says
The writers need to creat a show and name it —- I have taken the character as far as he can go and I have other commitments! This way all the actors who want to leave a show can have one of their own show! This is definitely a bait and switch tactic! The producers get you hooked on a series and then change the rules. Stupid!
And Scarlet should have loosened up a bit. Perhaps a Victorian bath tub scene where she baths him or more interaction during the hospital scene instead if her screaming at him to wake up. And when the house keeper tried to talk to him about Scarlet he said WHO. That was a stupid remark. She never takes off her corsets not even in her house. She could have put on some thing more casual for a short time or a nitie. Again the sexual attraction could have gone a bit further rather than that closing kiss which was like he was kissing a wall. Why would any one keep watching the show. And where is Moses? Why would any one continue watching the show after all the important actors leave. And he left to do another show where the F word was every other word in the show. Duscusting!
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.
Lee says
Nowhere does it say he’s leaving for “bigger projects” or a different career path. Not a fan of people immediately jumping to that conclusion and blaming the actor when it hasn’t been stated anywhere. If you listen to the podcast(s) it sounds like creative differences were the reason for his decision to leave. Him being missing from four episodes for the past two seasons wasn’t likely due to scheduling conflicts either since he wasn’t shooting anything at the time (and really, they could have adjusted filming for a titular character if that were the case). It feels like his character got sidelined throughout the seasons so Eliza gets a chance to explore screen time with other characters (“to keep things fresh”) and that’s probably also why they had an easier time letting him go instead of trying to work it out. Many statements have been made that suggest that he didn’t really want to leave and that the writers were running out of ideas to explore his character any further (writers even said they’ve had a hard time coming up with excuses for the characters to work cases together…I mean???). He says that he felt like he had taken his role as far as he could and that he left for the longevity of the show so Eliza can grow. And considering how they handled his character lately and wrote him into a corner, it makes sense for him to come to that conclusion. He was a huge advocate for the William/Eliza relationship and made some things happen that we as fans, according to him, probably would have never gotten to see on the show otherwise (even if he had stayed). The writers never really seemed too keen on bringing the two leads together (any time soon or at all). They would have dragged the relationship on for another couple of seasons, and a HEA was never confirmed apparently. Now they are gaslighting the fans stating “it probably wouldn’t have worked out anyway”… There’s lots of other stuff that doesn’t add up, but the assumption that he left to further is career is in doubt.
Jeaniene says
I assumed the actor went on to “bigger and better” roles because I remember reading that there were scheduling conflicts. However, assumption isn’t fact, so I amended my post to take that sentence out. Even with in it, I never was blaming the actor, though. I consider it the showrunner’s failure not to secure his role for season 5. As I said in the post, if they couldn’t make it work with him, then recasting the role was the better choice (imo) than pretending that the Duke’s character wasn’t integral to the show. After four years, taking him out and changing the show’s name from “Miss Scarlet and the Duke” to merely “Miss Scarlet” felt very much like a bait-and-switch to me.
Isobel says
Stuart Martin left because he has other projects, he did Rebel Moon parts 1 and 2 in 2023 and 24 in between Miss Scarlet. That “he felt like he had taken his role as far as he could and that he left for the longevity of the show” comment is total bollocks. He was a lead character, which holds a lot of weight with the writers and the writers could easily have given him great storylines, but his foot was already out the door, by choice, in season 3. The show had gotten him what he wanted a look in by directors. His choice was about career advancement, not about stepping away so the show could bloom. He’s a great actor and easy on the eye, but he’s wrecked this show by leaving. When a main character leaves and a show continues the viewing figures drop sharply and it rarely gets another season. My guess is that it will end by season 5. I didn’t even bother finishing season 4 because we’d been led on by 4 seasons of unresolved sexual tension and flashbacks to then have the relationship dropped. I feel cheated. I’m done.
Mary says
Omg, I am horrified to learn he’s been written out!! Ugh! I thought it was just a plot device for this season to keep the tensions up. Blech 🤢
Tbh I’ve been getting more and more annoyed with the show season two and beyond. Eliza is becoming one-dimensional in her single-mindedness and what is quickly becoming emotional narrowness. The Duke has evolved much more than she has. He’s willing to open up and try and while I loved the show to start and especially their chemistry, their relationship has become stagnant. She’s also become sort of smug in a weird way, I think because the ends justify the means with her. She thinks she is a paragon of integrity and she’s not. She routinely and repeatedly uses and lies to the people in her life like the Duke when she wants something. I almost lost my s*** when she said to her business partner he was the only one who’d ever believed in her. Um, what?? That totally dismissed Ivy, Duke, even her father. I also really don’t like the tack that a “strong woman” is only one who puts her career above all else. Eliza’s inability to be emotionally vulnerable and love freely is a weakness, not a strength.
Keili says
I am also SO gutted over this. I’ve never had a bait and switch such as that pulled on me by a show before. Four seasons would have been a perfectly reasonable amount of episodes to bring the relationship arc and show to a satisfying end if one of the main characters had to leave. The switch up cheapens the storytelling and I’m sure they know it, hence the defensiveness. Horrible decision on their part, and I don’t feel bad for complaining because if you don’t care about your viewership why would I care about your show? Especially since you’ve told me a four season story arc of a relationship doesn’t matter and wasn’t the point. Yeah, sure.
Carole Erickson says
The main reason I watched the show was the duke! He is handsome and sexy. Scarlet could at times be too overbearing. Would have preferred more emphasis on the characters rather than the weekly mystery..Had hopes for their relationship, working together. Well, that is no more, am done with the show. Stunned how the writers could drastically change the tenor of the show and expect people to watch!
Scott Sasser says
I am also a huge fan of the show. The scheduling conflict doesn’t really make sense considering they just sent inspector Wellington to America. So they could have kept him there until his “Scheduling Conflict” was over and then bring him back to the show.
I just wish they would be upfront and honest.
Isobel says
It wasn’t just ‘scheduling conflict’. It seems Stuart Martin was using the show as a step on the ladder, and he got that step up by being offered a good part in Rebel Moon part 1 in 2023 and part 2 in 2024. I feel cheated by the flashbacks at the start of season 4 which lead us to believe that finally, after years of secret adoration their relationship would come to fruition. It’s a cruel bait and switch.
Elizabeth says
This reminds me of two 1980s series with similar issues.
1) MOONLIGHTING — The dance that the creators put the two main characters through to get them together decreased the quality of the scripts, in addition to the show always being behind schedule (it never filmed the full slate of hour-long episodes that others did). When Dave and Maddie finally consummated their relationship, the ratings went downhill, and the program was canceled. The will-they-or-won’t-they aspect got silly after a while.
2) BEAUTY AND THE BEAST — The Beauty of the title (Catherine) was killed off at the beginning of Season 3, sending The Beast (Vincent) on a revenge spree; the complete opposite of the series’ original atmosphere. It turned out that while the part had been specifically written for Linda Hamilton, she never intended to stay long, which didn’t sit well with the cast and crew. The show was canceled at the end of Season 3. Lessons: Never take a supposedly long-term acting job and then mess up the project by leaving, and never write something with a particular actor in mind without a back-up plan.
Kitty says
I’m so glad I found this blog because I agree with everything you said!! I cannot believe I invested 4 years into this show only to be given…whatever the heck that ending was.
I knew that this show was going to be slow burn, but sheesh, how was I supposed to know it would fizzle out before it even burned? By season 3 you could tell William’s story was already going nowhere.
What happened was exactly as I feared and hoped wouldn’t happen. Rachel New has constantly made a line between work and love and it was clear that Eliza would definitely pick the former. It took her 4 seasons to get them to end up together??? And even then she probably did that because Stuart said he was going to leave. God knows how many seasons she would have stretched out that “will they, won’t they” bit. Anyway, Eliza’s new romance is probably with Nash and I will NOT be there to see it. Can’t believe a writer would crash and burn her own series like this.
Isobel says
By season 3 Stuart Martin already had one foot out of the door as he was filming Rebel Moon part 1. And so the writers did their best to keep things ticking along knowing that one of their leads was going to bail on them. It’s such a shitty position for the showrunners to be put in by an actor who put his thirst for fame before the show. The writers could have dealt with it differently though. There are lots of amazing, hot Scottish actors who could have been recast as William. I can’t forgive them for the flashback story at the start of season 4. It lead us to believe that after years of secret longing, they’d be getting together. We were lied to. I can’t stand the Nash character, so I’m out!
Faith says
They should have just ended with Season 4. When Nash goes to jail, have Eliza decide to go to NY to see William. THE END. Then we can at least believe there’s a possible happy ending.
W Morris says
I totally agree with the majority of these articles. The show went from an anticipated must watch during season one and two, to a feeling of unease about the way the story-lines were going in season three and a slowly growing dislike of Eliza Scarlet’s narrowness of focus and lack of emotional honesty. Season four gave me, at first, a bit of hope for better days coming, but that soon faded to constant WTF questions. The ending result, by the time arrived, was expected and disappointing. The announcements/commentary from the show runners concerning the future of the show was disappointing and to me, obtuse.
Anyway, bottom line, I’m not going to watch season 5.
Jenny says
For a woman who loved her father and seemed teachable and curious throughout most of her life; Scarlet certainly turned extremely self-centered and nearly narcissistic in her refusal to apologize for hurting the duke or even grateful for the love he offered her. Most people will admit that love is the greatest gift we can offer and receive in this life. Love given in sacrifice and received in gratitude is the storyline of tears and cheers. But, Scarlet refuses a man who gets her, who respects her, who admires her, who would give his life to protect her, and accommodate his work to include, support, and honor her. I say she gets what she gets. How many men like does she think she will find in the 19th century? How many would she find in this one?
As an independent, self-providing mother of three women, I am all for women pursuing their passion, especially when it is in pursuit of making this world a better place. But Scarlet only wants to make her own myopic world a better one. It’s not drivenness and I can’t admire it because now she has just become downright self-absorbed.
Scarlet has become like the men in her society she has fought so hard against – a person who can’t see the value of the another person and then make choices to see them flourish. It’s so disgusting that the writers could not create a story where the Duke and Scarlett can flourish. She is not as independent or victorious as the righters might wish to promote. She is still stuck. Stuck fighting alone. Stuck being alone. Stuck mirroring male superiority. Instead of her gentleness and femininity matching and complimenting Duke’s own strengths, instead of creatively solving problems together, even that of their relationship and work -Scarlet’s stubborn indecision cost her a valuable man and maybe the only man who would willingly put up with her stubbornness, respect and value her.
She became so narrow-minded at the end of season 4. She was not as teachable as her father thought her to be. She was not as soft-hearted and with equally matching strength that we all thought she was. Instead, she became a cold-hearted woman who’s thinks her work is something she will still have in old age and take with her to her death. If that weren’t true, then wisdom (gained by listening to others) would help her embrace what she will have as memories and can take with her as she dies, love.
Like you, I won’t be watching. The writers will end up with what Scarlett ended up with – nothing. Their writing was not modern because modern would have solved problems and found solutions. Scarlett will thus remain like so many women in that time – stuck. And I don’t blame Martin for moving on. Scarlett didn’t want the Duke – and so the Duke leaves with self-respect and can pursue life and love among people who actually give a damn about the love he has to offer.
Alexa says
I am surprised that so many people will not give season 5 a chance instead of refusing to watch after season 4. The actor chose to leave after season 4 so the creator’s had to take the show to a new level. This happens a lot for British tv series and movie series. I have seen them cancel shows even when they shows were very popular. I will be surprised if there is a season 6 though. I’ll give it a go when released. It is sad though because I enjoyed the relationship between them.
Lynda Deal says
I am, also, very disappointed that the Duke will no longer be in the show! I guess we’re supposed to think that winning in your career makes love unnecissary, but it’s not true, especially as you get older! I, also, think they should have ended the show, with Season Four, with the Duke and Eliza getting togther. I’m sorry to say that the shows, in the past, that he wasn’t in, were boring! They say that she will have romance, and that we have already seen the man. So, that probably means Nash! Nothing against the actor, but Eliza and Nash have no “chemistry”, so their relationship will, probably, not seem rewarding! Since there’s very little, of interest, to watch on TV, I will probably watch the show, but I’m afraid it will be disappinting!
Elaine Ng says
I found out about this show when I stopped watching Bridgerton S3. Someone had recommended other shows and this was one of them. I LOVE this series. When I found out the Duke was gone, I almost cried. I also read that Moses was gone also, which I hate.
Watching all 4 seasons, I noticed that Eliza has lost some appeal. In her effort to succeed, she’s so entrenched in her own beliefs that she’s no longer as fun to watch and has become a bit annoying.
I really hope that Stuart Martin left by choice and was not written out. I understand as an actor, you have to take any opportunities that come your way. In a long running series, an actor always risks being known as that one popular character they had played early in their career. Think of the stars of Modern Family. After that show ended, I really haven’t seen the actors on other projects. If he was written off, that would be a betrayal to fans.
I’m happy the writers aren’t recasting the Duke. It wouldn’t be right to see someone else playing the part. And had Stuart Martin stayed, how would the series look if Eliza and the Duke became romantic? The tension that was a huge part of the show would be missing which would be strange to me.
Although I’m not happy, I will give the show a chance and watch Season 5 because I’m curious to see how the new Inspector will fit in.
Susanne says
The actors are both terrific and I watched the show for their relationship. They were each other’s foils, best friends, and loves interests. I was bored whenever they weren’t in scenes together because their chemistry was amazing. I’m with you. Not watching anymore. It’s just not interesting any longer. I didn’t like season 4. He was gone too much.
Tracey says
But you see, I began to dislike Miss Scarlet. She was all too condescending, insulting, a liar, untrustworthy and to me did not know real love. I liked the Duke. He had integrity, sensitivity and throughout the episodes I watched, Miss Sarket had none of those traits. By the time Arabella came into the picture, I was happy for him. Since it seems he doesn’t end with Arabella, the Duke leaving entirely is just as good. Stuart Martin has a wonderful career ahead of him. I stopped watching the show in the middle of season 3 when I heard he was leaving after season 4. I found very little likable about Eliza Scarlet, to little to watch her alone.
Nell says
I was sad to hear that the Duke for series 5, as I love the relationship between him and Eliza. I’m glad they’re not going for a recast though. I am excited to see how they develop the series as Miss Scarlet, I think this gives them more freedom to explore different storylines for Eliza. As Duke said, this will give her a chance to work out what she wants for herself and to really become her own woman. And who knows what could happen in the future……
Sheila says
Kudos for this commentary so SPOT on! I’ve read a number of the responses and am in TOTAL agreement with the Duke’s departure should have been on a better note from what we were LED to invest in! I haven’t viewed the show since the news of Stuart Martin’s leaving – I don’t know maybe the showrunners thought we wouldn’t be upset on the “principle” of the matter.
stacey hughes says
I agree, this show was a “look forward each week’ moment. My husband and I love the interaction with Scarlet and the Duke but also Moses. Now neither are coming back?! I like Scarlet but I just dont think the vibe will be the same without them.