Bitsy Sussman

**Bitsy Sussman** is an aspiring detective who seeks the guidance of Sara Howard. She is a major character in *Angel of Darkness* portrayed by Melanie Field.

## Official Description

*Bitsy Sussman is an industrious young protege at the Sara Howard Detective Agency who looks to Sara for professional guidance but who brings her own warmth and New York street smarts to the job.*

## Biography

May 24, 1897. Bitsy, Milly, and Ida were preparing suffragist banners when they received a visit from a client, Mrs Schmerhorn. She hired Sara Howard to investigate the stealing of her silverware, but the girls found nothing incriminating among her servants. Milly and Bitsy participated along with other suffragettes in the protest against the execution of Martha Napp. Unfortunately, the woman was executed with the electric chair.

When the newborn daughter of the Spanish Ambassador-General was abducted, Bitsy accompanied Miss Sara to Señora Linares' house to offer their investigative services.

Bitsy and Milly worked on Miss Sara's behalf on the case, and Bitsy had a fleeting flirtation with Sergeant Detective Lucius Isaacson visiting the agency. Bitsy comforted Miss Sara, empathising with the pain of Señora Linares.

With investigations leading to Lying-In Hospital and Dr. James Markoe's unorthodox methods, Miss Howard requested the help of her former associates — John Moore, Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, and Detective Sergeants Lucius and Marcus Isaacson — to find a connection between the murder of Martha Napp's daughter and Ana Linares' abduction. Bitsy managed to obtain information on the hospital's patrons.

Bitsy infiltrated the hospital as a ward girl, so she could get closer to patients and staff. Whilst Dr Markoe and the Matron were odd but not particularly suspicious of the crime in question, Bitsy grew suspicious of Colleen Ledwidge, another ward girl and former patient of the hospital. Bitsy kept an eye on her under Miss Sara's direction. Meanwhile, Bitsy also checked the records and the dispensation of medicines but was caught out by Colleen. Fearing that she was surprised by the infanticide, Bitsy ran for her life only to find herself in the clutches of Libby Hatch, the real murderer who had misled the investigation with false information presented to Miss Sara. The nurse injected a poison into Bitsy's neck and fled. Fortunately, Miss Sara and Lucius were already on their way to the hospital and were able to save Bitsy with an antidote.

As Bitsy recovered, Sara apologized for putting her in harm’s way at the Lying-In. Bitsy informed Sara that when Libby smiled at her, she had black teeth. Sara then instructed Bitsy to get some rest and told her that she’d have John come by to render a sketch, but Bitsy informed her of a photo of Libby hanging near Markoe’s office.

Bitsy returned to work, though she wasn't fully recovered. So Sara asked Milly to walk Bitsy home as she needed rest. Before leaving, Bitsy told Lucius that she’s always up for a walk.

Bitsy showed up at John's place with a news article from the Journal attacking Sara. It did, however, mention that Sara found the Linares baby. The article appeared to have had the opposite effect of what Hearst intended. The agency had been taking calls all morning for new cases.

Bitsy informed Sara of the publication in the Journal detailing the reunion between Libby’s mother and daughter. After failing to apprehend Libby, Bitsy offered to cancel her plans with Lucius in order to help Sara, but she insisted that she was fine. Admittedly, Sara was upset after Byrnes interfered with her investigation, but she didn't need any company. Bitsy was concerned with leaving Sara alone and offered to call John, but Sara asked her not to. Bitsy advised Sara to tell John that she loved him because a time would come when it would be too late.

Bitsy attended Marcus' funeral and comforted Lucius after he was killed by Goo Goo Knox. Bitsy later helped search through all the evidence they had on Libby and the cases. Bitsy surmised that Libby aspired to be a lady.

After apprehending Libby, Sara returned to the agency, and Bitsy informed her that she sent Ida downtown to investigate the Annie Swede case. Also, the commissioner had asked for Sara to assist on the Pacific State Bank heist. Lastly, Mrs. Schermerhorn messaged again, claiming that her servants were stealing her silverware again. Sara instructed Bitsy to politely decline. She then introduced Bitsy and Milly to the new member of their team, Kitty Byrnes.

## Memorable Quotes

**Bitsy**: “*There's a saying in Yiddish. "Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while but their hearts forever."*”
— Something Wicked

## Appearances

Angel of Darkness

* Ep. 1: *Ex Ore Infantium*
* Ep. 2: *Something Wicked*
* Ep. 3: *Labyrinth*
* Ep. 4: *Gilded Cage*
* Ep. 5: *Belly of the Beast*
* Ep. 6: *Memento Mori*
* Ep. 7: *Last Exit to Brooklyn*
* Ep. 8: *Better Angels*

## References

1. ↑ Character Bio Bitsy Sussman - Warner Media Group
2. ↑ Stuart Carolan (writer); David Caffrey (director); (July 19, 2020); "Ex Ore Infantium". Episode 1. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
3. ↑ Stuart Carolan (writer); David Caffrey (director); (July 19, 2020); "Something Wicked". Episode 2. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
4. ↑ Gina Gionfriddo (writer); Clare Kilner (director); (July 26, 2020); "Labyrinth". Episode 3. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
5. ↑ Alyson Feltes (writer); Clare Kilner (director); (July 26, 2020); "Gilded Cage". Episode 4. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
6. ↑ Gina Gionfriddo & Karina Wolf (writer); Clare Kilner (director); (August 2, 2020); "Belly of the Beast". Episode 5. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
7. ↑ Alyson Feltes (writer); David Caffrey (director); (August 2, 2020); "Memento Mori". Episode 6. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
8. ↑ Tom Smuts & Amy Berg (writers); David Caffrey (director); (August 9, 2020); "Last Exit to Brooklyn". Episode 7. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
9. ↑ Stuart Carolan & Karina Wolf (writers); David Caffrey (director); (August 9, 2020); "Better Angels". Episode 8. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.