‘Miss Scarlet’ Finale: How Do You Feel About That Eliza-Blake Ending? (POLL)

Miss Scarlet Season 5 was a season of change. The formerly titular Duke, William (Stuart Martin), departed the series after Season 4, and Tom Durant-Pritchard joined the cast as the by-the-book detective Alexander Blake, who wasn’t keen to let private detective Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) work out of Scotland Yards. Eliza pursued her work anyway, putting her in close proximity to Blake throughout the season’s six episodes. They grew on each other as the season progressed, leading to a moment in the finale that wasn’t a long-time coming per se but a major development for Eliza.

The February 16 finale featured a dangerous case that saw Oliver Fitzroy (Evan McCabe) attacked. As Blake and his men worked to solve the mystery, Eliza was hired by Oliver’s mother. Marianne Fitzroy (Robin Weaver), to investigate his father, Commissioner Fitzroy (Stephen Boxer), whom she suspected was being unfaithful. She was right, but she never would’ve guessed that her husband was having an affair with a man. This detail remained unaddressed by the episode’s end (perhaps it will be more important should the series get a Season 6?). Eliza and Clarence (Paul Bazely) also had their lives threatened in this investigation more than once, and one of the threatening presences turned out to be a woman spy working for British intelligence.

This woman’s success impressed both Eliza and Blake. After Blake had already given Eliza a thoughtful gift earlier in the episode (a new book about forensic science), the pair shared a charged moment after their last encounter with this spy. When Eliza said she was an impressive woman, Blake locked eyes with Eliza and agreed, but it was abundantly clear who he was really talking about.

PBS

The finale ended with the long-awaited nuptials of Ivy (Cathy Belton) and Mr. Potts (Simon Ludders), now Eliza’s roommates. During the reception, Eliza learned that Blake couldn’t attend because he had to attend to his sick child but sent a kind gesture regardless. As Eliza cleaned up their home after the celebrations all alone, she looked at the forensic science book longingly. It read like she was ready to not be on her own anymore. She acted quickly and brought cake to Blake’s house for him and his daughter.

Blake was moved by the sweet act, and they shared another romantically charged look in his front doorway. Each of them turned to walk away before immediately turning back, unable to ignore their attraction any longer. Eliza accepted his invitation to come inside, which made clear that they’re addressing their feelings for each other.

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Eliza didn’t often show her romantic feelings or attraction for the Duke in the previous seasons. For her to show and act on her attraction to Blake marks a noted change for the character. Miss Scarlet Season 5 got an early streaming release for PBS Passport subscribers in December 2024, leading some fans to discuss the season in-depth on social media ahead of the PBS airing. Fans on Reddit are pleased that Eliza showed her feelings so soon with Blake and argue that he’s a better match than the Duke, who did make an “appearance” this season through a letter asking Eliza to join him in New York.

“The writers finally FINALLY allow Eliza to be attracted to a man and actually show it. I’ll admit — the final scene was cute,” one viewer wrote. “She was never truly blushy and vulnerable with William … I hate to say it, but as desperate as I was for a Williza HEA, Inspector Blake is clearly a better fit for Eliza than William could ever be. Mountains would have had to move for Will and Eliza to truly make things work well long term. But Blake is a much more natural fit for her in every way.”

This fan also added that Blake is bit boring as it stands. They’re hoping the show will continue and ramp up his action in Season 6.

“Blake is so very……vanilla. He is calm, self-controlled, predictable. It’s almost like they sat him down and were like, ‘OK, remember that Scottish hunk that brought all the hot and bothered ladies to the Yard (pun intended)? Don’t be that guy,'” they wrote. “From a real life relationship perspective, yes — I will admit he’s the perfect compliment to Eliza. But it isn’t real life, and it doesn’t make for a very interesting slow burn that I swoon over in my PJs. They need to shake things up, raise the stakes, and give him some passion and a pulse in Season 6. Sorry to say but a dramatic Eliza rescue plus kiss is in order, I think. I need to see this guy in productive struggle. For now, zzzzzzzz……”

Some fans are feeling the pain of the loss of Nash (Felix Scott), who’s now off to Australia after his brief appearance this season.

“Overall, I liked the season. I’m not sold on Blake as a love interest yet, but I did like his character. I was really disappointed about Nash,” the viewer said. “I thought he and Eliza had the best/ most fun working relationship of all the men she’s been partnered with, so it felt like a huge loss. I’m really hoping they bring him back next season if the show comes back.”

One fan wishes the series had drawn out this romance a little longer.

“I liked that Blake is different. I like that he’s quiet. I didn’t like that they tried to force him as a love interest through Ivy repeating over and over again how great he is and how handsome he is basically pushing Scarlet towards him,” they wrote. “I think it’s too soon for that. I’m more willing to open myself up to a new ship if a show doesn’t make it obvious that one character is just a replacement love interest. The show should have backed off any hint that’s where they were going, even if it might have meant Scarlet ended up alone if the show gets canceled. They had her give up her great love for her profession then they darn sure should make her career her happy ending. And I am not so sure he’s a better fit for Eliza. Isn’t he going to have the same issue of being a policeman who likely can’t be married to a private detective? For the Duke, part of it was wanting something traditional but part of it was due to the job.”

We want to know what you thought of the finale’s final moments. Are you officially a fan of Miss Scarlet’s new love interest? Share your thoughts in the poll below. If you’d like to share more, head to the comments section.

Miss Scarlet has not been renewed for Season 6 as of the time of publication, but TV Insider has reached out to PBS for comment on the show’s future.