Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Kate Phillips, Stuart Martin, Ansi Kabia, Evan McCabe, Felix Scott, Sophie Robertson, Brian Bovell, Cathy Belton, Simon Ludders, Sam Hoare, Tim Chipping, Tafline Steen, Greg Haiste, Robert Wilfort, Emma Gojkovic, Joseph May, Will Merrick, Tamsin Newlands, Liz Crowther, James Barriscale.

There are detective series that stand out for an entirely different reason than that which are forever hoping to attain.

Not every detective can dig deep into the mind, not every tale is of Sherlock Holmes proportions, an epic that keeps taking with pleasure, but it can enlighten and entertain with as much progressive detail as possible within the case being cracked by an array of characters who have to appeal to a modern sensibility and a truth that the classic writers of the genre did not think of allowing to stalk their books.

That sense of equilibrium in what is considered, especially in the Victorian  world that focused so much of its efforts of impropriety, astonishing, is to be admired and with the engaging Kate Phillips producing a knowing wink to the camera in her resolute performance as the Private Detective, and Stuart Martin roundly polished as the determined but fair minded and friendly Scotland Yard officer of the law, Miss Scarlet and The Duke is a series that finds itself pushing the collective tale of a woman pushing back against the overpowering scent of sexism that Victoria’s reign proudly stood on with great effect.

It is a shame that the third series of the fascinating show is in a television realm that many will find hard to come by without the assistance of purchasing other channels. Alibi, though, do justice to the work of Rachel New with honour. Indeed, the suspicion is always enhanced when you witness a television series given a brand-new makeover in terms of style and production, when the opening credits roll, that they have long term faith in their project, and that is exactly the drama behind the third series, one of absolute style and panache, ever loaded with the fission of the main characters interaction and storylines that frame the narrative perfectly.

Miss Scarlet and The Duke is resolved, it is the passion of belief in a tale and giving the actors the scale in which to climb to a greater degree of satisfaction than might have been first argued; for that this third series is wonderfully engaging, unrepentant in its charm, and arguably more satisfying than others in which a period drama may achieve.

Ian D. Hall