Exclusive Interview: Rachael New, Series Creator of Miss Scarlet & The Duke

The new 6-part period piece drama Miss Scarlet and The Duke debuted on PBS on January 17, quickly capturing our attention, making us want to learn more about series creator Rachael New and the series itself.

Here is the synopsis for Miss Scarlet and The Duke:

When her father dies, Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips from Peaky Blinders, The Crown and the box office film Downton Abbey) finds herself facing a difficult choice. As an unmarried woman, she faces poverty without a husband to provide for her — unless she takes on the challenge of running her late father’s (Kevin Doyle from the TV series AND box office movie Downton Abbey) detective agency, which would be unthinkable for a respectable Victorian lady.

Fortunately, she finds an unlikely partner in the unconventional Detective Inspector William Wellington (Stuart Martin from the TV dramas Jamestown and Crossing Lines) of Scotland Yard, known as “The Duke,” and the pair begin to tackle the crimes and mysteries of Victorian London together.

Rachael New has worked as a writer on British police dramas like Grantchester, EastEnders and The Mallorca Files and was the creator and writer of the British comedy Monday Monday.

Photo Courtesy: Rachael New/SONY DSC

Here is our exclusive interview with series creator, producer and writer Rachael New:

Who were your inspirations for the characters Eliza Scarlet and William “Duke” Wellington?

Eliza Scarlet is a combination of Jane Austen’s Lizzie Bennet and Margaret Mitchell’s Scarlett O’Hara. But there are other elements too. As a writer, it’s hard not to channel your own idiosyncrasies, hopes, dreams, frustrations into your characters. Being a woman I’ve had my fair share of being patronised over the years so writing Eliza has been cathartic at times! But now, with the luxury of having seen Kate Phillips bring the character to life on screen, I have her in my mind as I write Season 2. She plays Eliza so beautifully bringing her own special magic to the role.

Duke is a mix of several men I’ve met in my life. He’s a real blend of what makes me laugh in a man and what drives me crazy! Twenty five years of living and working with my husband has given me A LOT of material. Ultimately Duke represents a man that although full of huff and puff, is also someone you can count on for help. Stuart Martin has brought his own special take to the role. He plays Duke so brilliantly, so as with Kate, Stuart is now front and centre of my mind writing season 2.

You’ve worked on several other police- and detective-based dramas (i.e. Grantchester and The Mallorca Files). Would you say that working on those shows helped you fine-tune the creation of Miss Scarlet and The Duke or were there other experiences (such as books you’ve read or other shows you’ve seen) that helped craft the series?

Oh yes absolutely! Writing on other detective shows develops the craft of winding and weaving a labyrinth of twists, turns, secrets and lies. I adored writing on Grantchester and The Mallorca Files, not least because the show runners and writing teams were just so lovely.

In terms of the actual characters and world of Miss Scarlet, that came from my love of History, Austen, Dickens and all the films and shows I loved as a kid. I’ve had Eliza Scarlet, Duke, Moses, Rupert and Ivy in my head for a very long time. Seeing our fantastic cast bring them to life has been such a high for me.

Can you give any spoilers about what U.S. viewers can anticipate for future episodes?

It’s going to be a cracking season. We dive into Duke a little more, exploring where he has come from and what made him the man he is. Then obviously we have loads more cases and adventures for our Eliza. More scrapes, more obstacles, more fun with the odd nemesis or two. Season 2 will also see a nice big dollop of romance, but that’s all I’m saying!

NOTE: We here at NiceGirlsTV can’t WAIT to see what happens next!

Deadline Hollywood reported that you are currently working on season 2 of the series, but do you have other projects that you are working on or planning to work on?

I’m currently finishing off Season 2. I can’t tell you how nice it’s been to escape back to the 1880s. In terms of other projects I do have some interesting ones bubbling. As a writer I think 3 or 4 projects at any one time is ideal. Ideally something in production, a couple you are developing and an idea you’re researching or mulling like an itch you just have to scratch.

What type of career would you have if you hadn’t gotten into writing and producing?

If I could go back I would have worked harder at school. I would have gone to more of my history lessons rather than smoke illicit cigarettes with my friends behind the bike sheds! Thankfully my qualifications were ok but I could have done better. I have a love for history so I guess I would have taken a History degree and done something in that vein. My fantasy would be becoming someone like (British historian) Lucy Worsley, but who am I kidding, that woman is a genius!

Can you share what was the best piece of advice you have received from a peer or mentor?

“Nothing is a waste of time.” So whether you have spent an hour, day, week, even a month writing something that for whatever reason didn’t work out, it is NEVER a waste of time. Every time you write you are flexing that muscle. Every time you write you are honing your craft. In short, you get better and better the more you write. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled out an old idea or storyline and thought “that’s actually pretty good. I’ll use that.”

Is there a charity or organization for which you support?

Two actually. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

I’m nutty about cats. In fact, I’m quite certain I’ll end up an old cat lady running a sanctuary somewhere. Maybe with a donkey or two and some chickens. Hopefully the cats won’t eat them.

You can learn more about Miss Scarlet & The Duke here and follow along with our coverage of the show here.

Make sure to watch the next new episode of Miss Scarlet & The Duke will air on PBS tomorrow, Sunday, January 31 at 8/7c.