The Duke’s Wayward Wallflower

starring: POPPY JANISCH & JOSHUA DUNCAN

Felicity, the shy girl everyone overlooked is about to become the brightest star in London. Raised far from high society, she enters the glamorous London Season completely unprepared for its ruthless rules, with just the cold Duke of Mandrick to protect her. But beneath her quiet nature hides a charm no one can ignore.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Well if you have ever read a Regency romance this will make you happy - it really does take all the ingredients of the books and put them on screen. And wonderfully doesn't feel the need to add in vertical tropes of jarring humiliation - instead we stick to the era, the idea of being accused of being caught alone with a man is shocking enough

@poppyjanisch is wonderful as Felicity our ingenue, the right blend of naive, innocent but also quietly determined to take control of her fate

@_joshuaduncan survives some terrifying white socks and brings all the necessary stiff upper lip, repressed feelings, brooding and actually damn it man he really loves her vibes to the Duke

And we have a wide range of supporting characters

Sleazy Mr Beasley @sidgwickjonathan complete with greasy hair (a must for these characters in period dramas)

@nataliehopkins2026 as the rather too knowing Aunt Greta (sure there is a back story there)

@vanessa.calderon.arias as Daisy, who gets a super moment near the end

@willusherwoodbliss as Felicity's suitor Mr Sorley (Um it doesn't end well thanks to Daddy dearest)

And @dcarrington_creative & @floraelizabethalice as rather adorable star crossed lovers Anthony and Marian

It all looks gorgeous (apart from the too short trousers and white socks), zips along and is wonderfully satisfying.

This doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, it delivers exactly what it sets out to do being a regency romance to our screens complete with yearning and a little bit of steam to keep vertical fans happy throughout

Top job everyone including production team.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Oh we have a lot of yearning here and repressed feelings as the Duke of Mandrick tries to ignore his feelings for Felicity. This is all longing glances - there is also a moment where Felicity stumbles on a couple in the 'throes of passion' doesn't understand what she has seen, and the Duke handles it beautifully.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Hm a few options, but I am going for sleazy Mr Beasley, and not just because it rhymes. Rather enjoy when Mandrick punches him and a tooth flies out.

😂 Comedy gold:

The speed with which young men throw themselves at Felicity when they find out she has money ... oh and with which someone runs away from a duel.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Aunt Greta is the all knowing advisor, who helps Felicity out. Daisy supplies a rather helpful book. But I am giving it to Lady Marian. Who is really rather wonderful, and not the vertical trope you expect her to be.

✍🏼 DETAILS

2026

Available on DramaBox