Miss Scarlet and the Duke interview - Stuart Martin

Before taking up the mantle of Detective Inspector William Wellington, aka the Duke, Scottish actor Stuart Martin had appeared in historical drama Jamestown, Danny Boyle's police comedy-drama series Babylon and starred alongside Richard 'Bodyguard' Madden in the Italian-British production Medici: Masters of Florence.

Miss Scarlet and the Duke interview - Stuart Martin

What's the show about?

Miss Scarlet and the Duke is a Victorian crime drama set in 1882, London and we meet Eliza Scarlet, who is a budding private detective. She has inherited this private detective firm and job from her father who was a private detective, and along the way she enlists the help of Detective Inspector William Wellington, aka the Duke.

The Duke is forced to draw his gun in the climatic Episode Six.

The Duke is forced to draw his gun in the climatic Episode Six.

Tell us about the Duke.

The Duke was brought up on the wrong side of the tracks. He was involved in a bit of criminal activity when he was a young lad and then encounters Henry Scarlet, Eliza's father, who rescues him from that life and introduces him to Scotland Yard and a life as a copper, which he works his way up and excels at.

How would you describe the relationship between Eliza and the Duke?

Eliza and Duke have quite a complicated relationship because Eliza's father took the Duke under his wing, so they've spent a lot of time together growing up, with Henry being a father figure to Duke. So, when Henry dies there's a real protection that Duke feels towards Eliza, a protective nature, but as we progress there's no doubting the connection and spark between them. The Duke definitely fancies Eliza and, hopefully, Eliza fancies the Duke. It's complicated and they wind each other up, so that is a continuing theme throughout the show. It's a real will-they won't-they, and every time they seem to get close to it, one of them does something to mess that up.

Stuart Martin on set with Kate Phillips (Eliza Scarlet).

Stuart Martin on set with Kate Phillips (Eliza Scarlet).

How would you describe the setting of the series?

The streets of London in 1882 are a very dangerous place, a very dark place for a copper, for a woman, for anyone really. The Duke is from that world, so he understands the danger that is involved in it, but even more so I would say as a copper, he's aware of the dangers that he faces every day for him and Eliza.

What made you want to be involved in the series?

When I first read the script, I was incredibly excited. You sort of go on a journey with them. You think it's one thing and, very quickly, that opinion is changed. It is a Victorian cop show, but it's got a style to it, a coolness, a humour that you don't really see in similar shows or anything that's set in that time. The writing is sharp, the characters are fizzing and effervescent and it's a really exciting show. I was buzzing when I first read it.