When it was announced ahead of Season 5 that the PBS Masterpiece series Miss Scarlet & The Duke would be losing its Duke, William Wellington (Stuart Martin), many fans were understandably concerned. Rebranding a series after such a central dynamic often leads to tonal shifts that feel awkward or unearned. However, with the introduction of Inspector Alexander Blake (Tom Durant-Pritchard) in Season 5 and the decision to streamline the title to Miss Scarlet, the series made its intentions clear. The heart of the show has always been Eliza Scarlet, and Season 6 continues to prove that point, delivering some of its sharpest writing yet while giving Kate Phillips the space to fully shine as the show’s anchor.
‘Miss Scarlet’ Season 6 Proves Eliza Scarlet Has Always Been the Heart of the Series

Season 6 feels like the moment Miss Scarlet has been building toward for years. Eliza Scarlet finally occupies a space that feels fully earned. She is professionally secure, creatively independent, and confident in her abilities even when circumstances are not ideal. Kate Phillips has always been perfectly cast in the role, but there is something different about her performance this season. The writing allows Phillips to work in a wider emotional range, letting Eliza exist without constantly having to prove herself, and the result feels both freeing and deeply satisfying. For longtime viewers invested in the slow-burn dynamic between Eliza and the Duke, the departure of William Wellington inevitably felt like a let-down, never seeing their relationship fully blossom. That makes the evolution of Eliza’s relationship with Inspector Alexander Blake (Durant-Pritchard) especially compelling. By the end of Season 5, it was clear their once-contentious working relationship was shifting into something more, and Season 6 fully embraces that change. While some may feel the transition happens quickly, Phillips and Durant-Pritchard share an easy, comfortable chemistry that allows the show to move past tension and focus instead on genuine compatibility. What ultimately makes Eliza and Blake work is that the relationship never asks her to compromise who she is. Blake does not bring the same friction or unresolved history that came with the Duke, but that dynamic proves to be a strength rather than a weakness. Their partnership is built on mutual respect, professional trust, and a natural ease with one another, whether they are working together in the field or sharing quieter moments. Small, fun details, like both reaching for lock picks at the same time and Blake instinctively letting Eliza take the lead, reinforce how well they function as equals. While Season 6 makes it clear the series never needed Eliza to be in a romantic relationship, allowing her to explore one while maintaining her independence enriches the journey she’s been on.
The Ensemble Cast of ‘Miss Scarlet’ Feels Refreshed and Confident in Season 6

Season 6 also benefits from a renewed focus on its ensemble, giving familiar faces more room to shine while seamlessly introducing fresh energy. After being largely absent in Season 5, Ansu Kabia returns as Moses, and his friendship with Eliza once again proves to be one of the series’ greatest strengths. There’s a natural tension as he sizes up Alexander Blake, but what ultimately matters to Moses is Eliza’s happiness, which was really sweet to see. Moses’ return also allows the show to lean into lighter dynamics within the team. His interactions with Clarence (Paul Bazely) develop into a playful rivalry that adds warmth and levity without undercutting the stakes. Scenes featuring Kabia consistently bring extra spark to the screen, adding texture to the overall story. Meanwhile, Ivy (Cathy Belton) and Mr. Potts (Simon Ludders) continue to be reliable scene-stealers, their newly married life unfolding alongside their work with Eliza. Ivy’s arc, in particular, lands on one of the season’s most satisfying notes, providing a quietly rewarding payoff. Season 6 also introduces Detective George Willows, played by Sam Buchanan, who brings a fresh perspective to Scotland Yard as an ambitious detective with hints of a complicated past. While he occasionally clashes with Eliza, Willows ultimately respects her abilities, and his loyalty to Alexander Blake adds a new layer to the investigative dynamic. The procedural structure of one case per episode remains engaging, but it’s the character-driven storytelling that continues to elevate the series. The mysteries themselves may not always hinge on shocking twists, but Miss Scarlet has never been solely about surprise. Watching this ensemble work together remains the best part of the show, and under showrunner Rachael New, the series proves it hasn’t missed a beat following its rebrand.

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‘Miss Scarlet’s Fate Has Been Decided as PBS Delivers an Update on Season 6

Destination: Serbia.

Season 6 of ‘Miss Scarlet’ Ends on a Satisfying and Promising Note

Kate Phillips as Eliza Scarlet and Tom Durant Pritchard as Alexander Blake in Miss ScarletImage via PBS

Throughout the season, Eliza and Alexander navigate a quiet push and pull over how much of their personal relationship should intersect with their professional lives, often vowing not to discuss work while spending time together. That separation proves difficult to maintain, and the tension surrounding it becomes an important emotional undercurrent, especially given Eliza’s hard-earned working relationship with Scotland Yard. When those boundaries are inevitably tested, the choices made in the finale feel consistent with the season’s themes, rooted in respect for Eliza’s abilities and trust in her independence, leading to a conclusion that feels both earned and emotionally satisfying. The final moments land especially well for longtime viewers who have watched Eliza fight for recognition, credibility and autonomy from the very beginning. While the moment may not be historically accurate for the time, the emotional truth of the moment rings clear. It underscores how Eliza’s bravery, persistence and intelligence have had a far greater impact than she herself may have realized, offering a powerful sense of validation for both the character and the audience.

While a seventh season of Miss Scarlet has not yet been officially announced, the Season 6 finale feels like one of those rare endings that works equally well as a conclusion or a launching point. It provides closure without finality, leaving room for the story to continue should the series return. Season 6 ultimately proves there is still plenty of story left to tell, with both familiar and new characters, as Eliza continues to grow personally and professionally. Miss Scarlet broadcasts on PBS weekly on Sundays at 8/7c.

Release Date

March 31, 2020

Network

PBS

Showrunner

Rachel New

Writers

Rachel New

Pros & Cons

Kate Phillips delivers her strongest work yet in Season 6.
Eliza and Alexander have real chemistry that makes their relationship feel genuine.
The return of Moses and the introduction of fresh new characters reinvigorate the ensemble.