Karen Pirie Season 2: What to Expect from ITV’s Thrilling Comeback!

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It’s been nearly three years since we last watched Karen Pirie on TV screens, as the initial season of the ITV crime series made its grand entrance back then, receiving widespread acclaim from both critics and viewers.

Now, finally, the titular detective is back, once again played by Outlander star Lauren Lyle.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I’m back on board for the next season, inspired by Val McDermid’s gripping novel, “A Darker Domain”. The second installment of her captivating series is about to unfold on our screens!

Apart from what’s already been revealed, what can we expect from Season 2? What will be its plot, which characters are returning, and who are the new additions as we delve into the next enigma?

Read on for everything you need to know about Karen Pirie season 2.

When will Karen Pirie season 2 air on ITV?

The second season of “Karen Pirie” is set to premiere on both ITV1 and ITVX starting from the 20th of July, Sunday. Starting from that day, all episodes will be accessible on ITVX. On the same day at 8pm, episode 1 will broadcast on ITV1.

As a movie critic, I must admit, it’s been quite a wait – nearly three years since the gripping premiere of Season 1. Emer Kenny, our brilliant creator, has shared that part of this delay was due to a profound personal milestone: the arrival of a newborn in 2023. Patience, as they say, is a virtue, and it’s been well worth it!

The announcement for Season 2 was made on February 21, 2023, revealing that it would be adapted from the second book in Val McDermid’s A Darker Domain series. Filming commenced for Season 2 in Scotland at the start of 2024.

Lauren Lyle is indeed returning to reprise her role, and upon the announcement, she expressed her delight: “I’m excited that we get to carry on the story of our brave young detective Karen Pirie, and naturally, her iconic bag. I’ve been aware for a while now about the show’s success backstage, so it’s been wonderful to witness viewers asking for more.

It’s a privilege to collaborate with Emer Kenny, especially given the strong foundation of Val McDermid’s narrative. The first season was thrilling as we developed an unprecedented character. I can’t wait to reunite the team and finally respond to the anticipation: ‘Will there be a season 2?’ with an enthusiastic ‘Absolutely!’

What will Karen Pirie season 2 be about?

As a captivated reader of Val McDermid’s gripping crime fiction, I eagerly anticipate diving into the next chapter of Karen Pirie’s journey when Season 2 unfolds on our screens. The second installment in this enthralling book series, A Darker Domain, serves as the foundation for this season’s narrative, promising to immerse us once again in the intricate web of mysteries that only McDermid can weave. I can hardly wait!

Following her triumphant conclusion in season one, Karen has been elevated to the rank of Detective Inspector, which appears to grant her the power she’s long strived for.

As I watch her embrace her formidable new position with confidence, it seems fate has intervened, tasking her with an elusive, tainted case. This assignment thrusts her into a glaring spotlight, under scrutiny not only from my superior and the relentless media, but also from shadowy figures who wish to preserve the veil over the past.

The 1984 incident involving Catriona Grant, an alluring young heir to a substantial oil empire, and her child Adam, aged two, has left investigators puzzled and captivated the public’s attention more than any other case. On a fateful day in Fife, they were abducted at gunpoint from a fish and chip shop.

The series of ransom messages caused a chaotic media frenzy, yet as the criminals stopped communicating, the police lost momentum, and Catriona and Adam mysteriously vanished without a trace.

Now, a body belonging to a man has been found, undeniably connected to the initial kidnapping case. With this first significant evidence in years, Karen needs to gather an exceptional team. She will be working alongside her trustworthy and charming partner DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray, portrayed by Chris Jenks, and the intelligent yet romantically complex DS Phil Parhatka, played by Zach Wyatt.

She added: “It’s crucial that whatever you’re creating feels like the right time for it to exist, not just because it’s the next installment in the series. You should be considering why this would be suitable for television in 2023 or 2024, whenever its release might occur – hence we’ve been examining them and discussing what elements will resonate.

After giving it some thought, Kenny ultimately concluded that A Darker Domain would be the optimal choice for continuing the series.

Karen Pirie cast: Who is back for season 2?

In the second season, Lauren Lyle, Chris Jenks, and Zach Wyatt will be reprising their roles, with them being accompanied by a number of fresh faces connected to the storyline of season 2.

Here are the main characters: James Cosmo, Frances Tomelty, and John Michie reappear, while Saskia Ashdown joins as a fresh addition to Karen’s team, Detective Constable Isla Stark.

Or, in another way: James Cosmo, Frances Tomelty, and John Michie return to the cast, with Saskia Ashdown debuting as a new member of DC Isla Stark’s team, who is part of Karen’s group.

Earlier, Lyle mentioned that if given the chance, she would’ve wrapped up season 2 immediately. She further expressed, “We were reluctant to part ways with the set!

She expressed: “I believe there’s still much more to accomplish, these books are incredible. The upcoming one partly takes place in Tuscany, so why wouldn’t we want to explore that opportunity?! Absolutely, she’s my most beloved character I’ve embodied and the one I’ve felt most trusted with. I’ve had a great deal of creative freedom, which is simply amazing. If allowed, I definitely think we could take on another venture.

Here’s a full list of the confirmed cast for Karen Pirie season 2:

  • Lauren Lyle as DS Karen Pirie
  • Chris Jenks as DC Jason Murray
  • Zach Wyatt as DS Phil Parhatka
  • Steve John Shepherd as DI Simon Lees
  • Emer Kenny as River Wilde
  • Rakhee Thakrar as Bel Richmond
  • Saskia Ashdown as DC Isla Stark
  • James Cosmo Brodie Grant
  • Frances Tomelty as Mary Grant
  • John Michie as Fergus Sinclair
  • Julia Brown as Cat Grant
  • Mark Rowley as Mick Prentice
  • Kat Ronney as Bonnie
  • Conor Berry as Andy
  • Stuart Campbell as Kevin
  • Jamie Michie as Young Brodie Grant
  • Madeleine Worrall as Young Mary Grant
  • Jack Stewart as Young Fergus Sinclair
  • Thoren Ferguson as DI Anderson
  • Helen Katamba as DC Laurel Blair
  • James Fleet as TBC
  • Tom Mannion as TBC
  • Tommaso Basili as Gabriel Porteous

Karen Pirie season 2 trailer

You can watch the trailer for Karen Pirie season 2 right here now.

Karen Pirie season 2 will air from Sunday 20th July 2025 on ITV1 and ITVX.

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2025-07-14 14:07