If you were hooked on the first season of Karen Pirie, the ITV crime drama that had us all glued to our screens back in 2022, you’re probably itching for news about Season 2. Starring the brilliant Lauren Lyle as the sharp-witted Detective Inspector Karen Pirie, this series, rooted in Val McDermid’s novels, mixes gritty cold-case mysteries with heart and humor. With filming wrapped and whispers of a 2025 release, here’s the lowdown on everything we know about Karen Pirie Season 2 – from when it might drop to who’s in it and what twists await.
When Can We Expect Karen Pirie Season 2?
So, when’s it hitting our screens? ITV has confirmed that Karen Pirie Season 2 will land in July 2025 in the UK, airing on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX and STV Player. For folks across the pond, BritBox is eyeing an October 2025 release in the US and Canada. There was some chatter about a possible June 2025 premiere, but Emer Kenny – who writes the show and plays River Wilde – recently pointed to July for the UK debut, likely on those cozy Sunday night slots ITV loves for dramas.
Karen Pirie Season 2 Expected Cast
The gang’s mostly back together. Here’s the scoop on the Karen Pirie Season 2 cast:
- Lauren Lyle as DI Karen Pirie: Our favorite detective is back, now sporting a Detective Inspector badge after her promotion. Lyle’s performance in Season 1 snagged her a BAFTA Scotland Best Actress award, and she’s ready to bring more of Karen’s grit and charm.
- Chris Jenks as DC Jason “Mint” Murray: Karen’s trusty sidekick, always good for a laugh. You might know Jenks from Sex Education.
- Zach Wyatt as DS Phil Parhatka: The team’s heartthrob with a complicated thing for Karen, fresh off roles in The Witcher: Blood Origin.
- Steve John Shepherd as DCS Lees: The boss keeping everyone in line, with credits in Harry Potter.
- Emer Kenny as River Wilde: Not just a writer for the show, Kenny’s back as Karen’s pal River.
- Rakhee Thakrar as Bel Richmond: A familiar face from Wonka, rounding out the core crew.
Karen Pirie Season 2 Potential Plot
Based on Val McDermid’s A Darker Domain – the second book in her Karen Pirie series – Season 2 dives into a juicy cold case from 1984, set against the tense backdrop of the UK miners’ strike. It’s a three-part series, with each episode running feature-length, flipping between the present day and flashbacks to the ‘80s.
The plot revolves around the kidnapping of Catriona Grant, a wealthy oil heiress, and her baby son, Adam, which rocked Scotland in 1984. Everyone thought it was a political grab tied to the strikes, but when the kidnappers went silent, the case fizzled out, leaving Catriona and Adam missing. Fast forward to 2025, and a new body turns up, linked to that old mystery. DI Karen Pirie takes charge, digging into the case under wraps to avoid a media storm. But, as you’d expect, dark forces and buried secrets make her job anything but easy.
There’s a trip to Tuscany thrown in for some international flair, and Karen’s new DI rank gives her more clout to tackle the case. Expect big twists, emotional punches, and a few political thorns from the ‘80s. Oh, and if you loved Karen’s quirky sweater vests in Season 1, word is they’re making a comeback.
