KAREN PIRIE RETURNS TO ITV FOR SECOND SERIES
IF YOU MISSED IT - Following its highly successful debut, a second series of Karen Pirie, adapted by Emer Kenny from Val McDermid’s hugely popular cold case novels, has been commissioned by ITV from World Productions, the producers of Line of Duty and The Pembrokeshire Murders.
Emer Kenny (The Curse, Save Me), will return to write and executive produce the 3 x 120’ episodes along with Scottish writer Gillian Roger Park (Sneakerhead, The Young Offenders). Karen Pirie will premiere on ITV1 and ITVX.
Series Two will be based on A Darker Domain, the second in the internationally bestselling Karen Pirie novels and once again star Lauren Lyle (Outlander, Vigil) as the young and fearless Scottish investigator with a quick mouth and tenacious desire for the truth.
In this second season, Karen reopens the investigation into the unsolved kidnap of a wealthy young heiress and her baby son back in 1985. Karen Pirie launched with 6.6m viewers and averaged 5.9m across the series making it one of the most watched new dramas on ITV last year. The series was also in the top 10 dramas on ITVX.
Lauren Lyle: “I'm thrilled that we will continue the life of our fearless young detective Karen Pirie, and of course, her bumbag. I've known for a while how well the show has gone down behind the scenes so it's been a joy to see audiences want more. It's a creative honour to work alongside Emer Kenny with the backbone of Val McDermid's story, season one was incredibly exciting building an original character we hadn't seen before. I look forward to getting the gang back together and finally being able to answer the question: ‘Please say there will be a season two?’ with an ‘Oh yes.’
ITV's Huw Kennair Jones: “We're thrilled the audience loves Karen Pirie as much as we do and can't wait to get going on Val McDermid's fantastic A Darker Domain with World Productions. Returning to the world and characters that Emer so skillfully created and Lauren so brilliantly realised promises to be as exciting and fresh as series 1.”
Producer Simon Heath: “The combination of Emer’s brilliant writing and Lauren’s terrific performance brought a magical chemistry to Val’s much loved Scottish detective. We can’t wait to resume Karen’s journey later in the year.”
Writer Emer Kenny: “The first series of Karen Pirie was a true labour of love, so it was thrilling to receive such an amazing response from audiences. That reaction has meant we’ve been asked back to make more, and we will happily oblige - the second book is partially set in Tuscany, and we all fancy the trip! Thank you to everyone who watched our show, and to ITV for ordering a second round. We’ll endeavour to bring you something refreshing and riveting (with lovely Italian views).”
Filming will commence in Scotland during early 2024 and details of further casting and key production personnel will be advised in the coming months.