Miss Scarlet Season 5 Episode 1 ending explained: Who is Jonathan Harbourne?

Miss Scarlet (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)
Miss Scarlet (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)

The much anticipated Miss Scarlet Season 5 aired on PBS on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 8 pm ET. The show brought fans back to the exciting world of Eliza Scarlet, a strong and independent private detective. The show, set in Victorian London, mixes mystery, drama, and clever humor, keeping viewers hooked.

In the first episode, Eliza faces personal and professional challenges including a tricky new case about a lord who disappeared long ago. With William “The Duke” Wellington moving to New York, Eliza was eager to show her worth to the police force now headed by a new officer.

The episode took a thrilling turn when Eliza got caught up in a murder case. Jonathan Harbourne, a thief connected to many crimes, was found dead. Finding out who Harbourne really was helped solve the case and showed how strong Eliza was as she tried to prove herself as a reliable investigator.

Eliza and Alexander (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)
Eliza and Alexander (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)

Miss Scarlet Season 5 Episode 1: A theft in New York City

Miss Scarlet Season 5 Episode 1 started with Eliza Scarlet juggling with professional challenges as Scotland Yard's collaboration with her came to an abrupt halt. William Wellington, her biggest supporter, was leaving for New York to become a police superintendent.

This left Eliza dealing with the tough truth of losing her main ally. But she didn’t let this stop her. She took over an old case about Lord Spencer Bowden, who disappeared years ago after being accused of killing his maid.

Eliza’s investigation led her to Amelia, Lord Bowden’s daughter, who said her father recently broke into her house. With Clarence’s help, Eliza sneaked into a secret auction and found Jonathan Harbourne, a thief linked to Amelia’s property. This meeting led to a series of discoveries that showed Amelia more involved in the crime than it seemed.

Miss Scarlet Season 5 (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)
Miss Scarlet Season 5 (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)

Through meticulous thinking and bold actions, Eliza learned that Amelia planned the burglary to get insurance money and framed her father as a distraction. But when Harbourne tried to keep the stolen goods’ profits for himself, Amelia took extreme steps to kill him. Despite Eliza’s efforts to prove her value, Alexander Blake and Scotland Yard managed to get hold of Amelia before Eliza could.


Miss Scarlet Season 5 Episode 1: Who is Alexander Blake?

In Miss Scarlet Season 5 Episode 1, Alexander Blake’s arrival brought fresh tension and mystery to Eliza Scarlet’s life. As the new detective inspector at Scotland Yard, Blake was a skilled former Army officer known for cutting crime rates in half during his time in Bristol.

Having learned Mandarin while in Hong Kong, he approached police work with a strict, organized style, which was very different from Eliza’s more creative and unconventional methods.

Alexander Blake (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)
Alexander Blake (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)

Blake’s skepticism of private detectives created a big challenge for Eliza, who used to depend on Scotland Yard for contracts. Their first meeting was full of tension, as Blake ignored Eliza’s efforts to prove her skills. His distrust came from bad experiences with private investigators in the past and his belief that Eliza sometimes twists the truth to get what she wants.

As the episode went on, subtle hints of Blake’s complexity emerged. His old, well-read copy of Treasure Island hinted at a gentler side, which might be tied to his bond with his daughter. This mix of toughness with a gentler side suggested that his cold attitude toward Eliza could soften in future episodes, as they challenge each other and grow to respect one another.


Other highlights of Miss Scarlet Season 5 Episode 1

Season 5 began with high stakes and emotional depth. William Wellington leaving for New York was a touching moment for the show, as Eliza struggled with the emptiness his departure created in both her personal and professional life. Their goodbye highlighted Eliza’s choice to focus on her career, even if it meant putting her feelings aside.

Clarence (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)
Clarence (Image via Youtube / MASTERPIECE PBS)

Clarence, who used to work as Nash's accountant, joins Eliza's team, bringing a new energy to the show. His resourcefulness and loyalty became evident when he assisted Eliza in infiltrating the underground auction, showcasing his potential as a valuable ally.

The Bowden case gave fans a classic Miss Scarlet mystery, full of suspense, surprises, and smart detective work. The back-and-forth between Eliza and Alexander Blake suggested an interesting opposition that might grow. Even with her challenges, Eliza's determination stood out, promising more exciting adventures ahead.


Fans of the franchise can watch the new episodes of Miss Scarlet Season 5 on PBS and Prime Video.

Quick Links

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications