Return of Karen Pirie: A New Season of Mystery and Intrigue
The second season of the popular crime thriller Karen Pirie is set to return, bringing with it a fresh wave of suspense and intrigue. Based on the novels by Val McDermid, this series has captivated audiences with its compelling storytelling and strong character development. Now, in the second season, viewers will once again follow Detective Inspector Karen Pirie as she delves into a long-forgotten case that has resurfaced through a true crime podcast.
This new season, adapted from the book A Darker Domain by Emer Kenny, continues to showcase the talents of the production team at World Productions. The show’s chief executive and executive producer, Simon Heath, shared that fans have been eagerly asking when the character would return to the screen, highlighting the popularity of the series.
The Cast of Karen Pirie Season 2
The cast of Karen Pirie season 2 includes a mix of familiar faces and new additions, all contributing to the rich tapestry of the show. Lauren Lyle reprises her role as Detective Inspector Karen Pirie, bringing her signature strength and determination to the character. Known for her role as Marsali MacKimmie Fraser in Outlander, Lyle has also appeared in Vigil, Toxic Town, and The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Chris Jenks plays DC Jason Murray, Pirie’s loyal and endearing sidekick. Jenks has worked alongside Lyle in Vigil and has also appeared in Sex Education as Steve Morley. His previous roles include Jamie in The Athena, Archibald Cosmos in Miracle Worker, and Josh Woods in Beyond Paradise.
Zach Wyatt takes on the role of DS Phil Parhatka, an officer with a complex personal life. Wyatt has previously appeared in The Witcher: Blood Origin as Syndril and Malcolm in A Little Life. He also portrayed Jimi Hendrix in Urban Myths.
Rakhee Thakrar stars as Bel Richmond, a podcaster who reignites interest in the cold case. Thakrar, known for her role as Shabnam Masood in EastEnders, has also appeared in Sex Education and the 2023 film Wonka.
Additional cast members include:
- Emer Kenny as River Wilde (Father Brown, The Curse)
- Steve John Shepherd as DI Simon Lees (Eastenders, Hetty Feather)
- Saskia Ashdown as DC Isla Stark (The Rig, Six Four)
- James Cosmo as Brodie Grant (Braveheart, Nightsleeper)
- Frances Tomelty as Mary Grant (Unforgotten, The Woman in the Wall)
- Julia Brown as Cat Grant (Shetland, World on Fire)
- John Michie as Fergus Sinclair (Coronation Street, Taggart)
- Mark Rowley as Mick Prentice (Rogue Heroes, One Day)
- Kat Ronney as Bonnie (Dinosaur, McDonald & Dodds)
- Conor Berry as Andy Kerr (Dept. Q, Schemers)
- Stuart Campbell as Kevin (Rogue Heroes, Shetland)
Filming Locations and Schedule
Season two of Karen Pirie was filmed in Scotland and on the Mediterranean island of Malta. The first season was shot in St Andrews, a university town in Fife, while the second season saw the crew returning to Fife and filming in Inverkeithing, Dysart, Kinghorn, and Anstruther. The production then moved to Malta, where scenes were shot in Valletta and Mdina.
The second season will air on ITV starting on Sunday, 20 July, with the first episode broadcast from 8pm to 10pm. There are three episodes in total, each lasting two hours, and they will be aired weekly. All episodes will also be available to stream on ITVX.
