ITV and World Productions (Line of Duty, Malpractice) have revealed the first-look images and cast for the return of their critically acclaimed cold-case drama ‘Karen Pirie’, based on the novels by celebrated author Val McDermid. The new series sees Lauren Lyle (Outlander, The Outrun) reprise her BAFTA Scotland-winning role as audience favourite Detective Inspector Karen Pirie in a compelling new three-part story adapted from A Darker Domain.
Following her bittersweet victory in season one, Karen has been promoted to Detective Inspector and finally seems to have the authority she’s long been fighting for. But her latest assignment will test her like never before. She’s handed an infamous 1984 kidnapping case that has haunted the public for decades: the disappearance of young heiress Catriona Grant and her two-year-old son Adam, snatched at gunpoint outside a chip shop in Fife. When a man’s body is discovered decades later with direct links to the crime, Karen must lead a high-pressure investigation under intense scrutiny from the media, her superiors, and forces that would rather the past stayed buried.
Reuniting with her endearing partner DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray, played by Chris Jenks (Sex Education, Vigil), and the sharp but romantically complicated DS Phil Parhatka, played by Zach Wyatt (Timestalker, The Witcher: Blood Origin), Karen must navigate layers of political grudges and long-buried secrets. With pressure mounting from Catriona’s powerful father, Sir Broderick Grant – played by James Cosmo (Braveheart) – the stakes are higher than ever.
Also returning are Steve John Shepherd (Harry Potter), Emer Kenny (The Curse), and Rakhee Thakrar (Wonka), with new additions including Saskia Ashdown (Six Four), Frances Tomelty (Unforgotten), and John Michie (Holby City). Flashbacks to the 1980s bring in Julia Brown (World on Fire), Mark Rowley (One Day), Kat Ronney (Dinosaur), Conor Berry (Schemers), Jamie Michie (Back to Life), Jack Stewart (Outlander), and Thoren Ferguson (Rebus). Present-day additions include James Fleet (Bridgerton), Tom Mannion (Mr Selfridge), and Tommaso Basili (Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints).
The drama is written by Emer Kenny, who also appears in the series, and is executive produced by Simon Heath and Emma Luffingham for World Productions, Emer Kenny, and Val McDermid. Episodes are directed by Gareth Bryn, with episode three helmed by Amanda Blue, and produced by Marcus Wilson. Filming took place in Scotland and Malta.
Series one of Karen Pirie was one of ITV’s most-watched new dramas of 2022, launching with 6.6 million viewers and averaging 5.9 million per episode. It earned widespread critical acclaim and multiple awards, including Best Actress Television and the Audience Award for Favourite Scot on Screen at BAFTA Scotland, Best Drama at the Celtic Media Festival, and a Best Mini-Series nomination from the British Press Guild.
‘Karen Pirie’ Season 2 premieres in July 2025 on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player in the UK, and in October on BritBox in the US and Canada. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
