ITV has been delivering in a big way when it comes to hard-hitting dramas as of late. Aside from the excellent news that The Tower and The Bay are returning for more seasons, we’ve also had Van der Valk and The Suspect to see our summer (and recently more colder) evenings through with.

And now, we’ve got another detective drama that we can sink our teeth into, this time with a fierce female lead. Karen Pirie not only ticks all our drama series boxes, but it also comes from World Productions, the production company behind Line Of Duty and Bodyguard. So it’s safe to say that we already knew there was going to be tension, suspense and gritty plotlines aplenty.

Outlander’s Lauren Lyle stars as the titular character and if the first episode is anything to go by (need we say more about that shock ending?), we can’t wait to see how this Scottish drama will unfold.

The first episode may have been two hours long but Lyle’s stellar performance as the lead detective had us well and truly hooked.

After all, it is getting to the stage in the year when we want nothing more than a dark drama to get stuck into on a gloomy evening.

An adaptation done superbly well, we say.

And we can’t wait to see what’ll happen next after one hell of an ending in the premiere episode.

If you’re yet to watch the new series for yourself, allow us to fill you in on everything you need to know about Karen Pirie. 

What is the plot of Karen Pirie?

The new drama is based on acclaimed author Val McDermid’s The Distant Echo, which is adapted by Emer Kenny (Harlots, Save Me Too). The novels of celebrated crime writer McDermid have sold over 17 million copies worldwide so you just know the premise of this new drama is going to be a good one.

The series opens with an expectedly dramatic first episode that sees Karen tasked with reopening an historic murder investigation that has been the subject of a provocative true crime podcast. It’s giving us slight Only Murders In The Building vibes and we’re already here for it.

As the synopsis reads: “When teenager Rosie Duff was found brutally murdered in the Scottish university town of St Andrews in 1996, suspicion fell on the three drunken students who were discovered at the scene of the crime, claiming to have found her body; Sigmund ‘Ziggy’ Malkiewicz, Tom ‘Weird’ Mackie and Alex Gilbey. But with a lack of forensic evidence, no charges were brought and the police investigation floundered.

“25 years on, someone appears to be willing to risk everything to keep the secrets surrounding the case hidden. Do the three men know more than they previously revealed? How flawed was the original investigation? And can Karen uncover the truth of what happened to Rosie that fateful night?” 

Who will star in Karen Pirie?

As well as Lyle leading the cast of the new drama, Emer Kenny is not only adapting the drama for the small screen but also takes on the role of Karen’s friend River Wilde. Other cast members include Chris Jenks (Sex Education) as Jason ‘Mint’ Murray and Zach Wyatt (Blithe Spirit) as DS Phil Parhatka.

Further cast includes Anna Russell-Martin (Casualty) as Rosie Duff, Jhon Lumsden (Pancake) as Sigmund ‘Ziggy’ Malkiewicz, Jack Hesketh (Besa) as Tom ‘Weird’ Mackie and Buom Tihngang (Death In Paradise) as Alex Gilbey.

Michael Schaeffer (The Salisbury Poisonings) also stars as Tom ‘Weird’ Mackie senior, as well as Ariyon Bakare (His Dark Materials) as Alex Gilbey senior and Alec Newman (Unforgotten) as Sigmund ‘Ziggy’ Malkiewicz senior.

The series is also directed by Gareth Bryn (Line Of Duty, Hidden) and Clare Kerr (The Nest) produces.   

What has been said about Karen Pirie?

Speaking about her new leading role, Lyle commented: “I am completely overjoyed to be bringing the formidable force that is DS Karen Pirie to life through Emer Kenny’s slick adaptation. The world Emer has created using the backbone of Val McDermid’s much loved books is electrifying and hooked me immediately. I couldn’t ask for a more creative, supportive and energetic team to be joining. I’m so thankful to Val, Emer, World Productions and ITV for welcoming me wholeheartedly on board.”

Kenny also said of the new series: “I am so grateful to Val McDermid for lending me her brilliant characters, and beyond excited to work with the actors and Gareth Bryn to bring them to the screen. As I got to know Karen – and in casting the wonderful Lauren – I realised I wanted to be her best friend. So, I am delighted to announce that I will be playing River, Karen’s best friend.” 

Is there a trailer for Karen Pirie?

There is and it’s a brand new minute-long one. In it, we get a brief glimpse of the pandemonium that Rosie Duff’s murder caused at the time in 1996. Pirie’s boss is briefing her about it, prompting her by reminding her that “it was all over the news”. She nods, “I was three, sir”.

Pirie’s wit is already enough to make us chuckle through the start of the trailer but it soon becomes very clear that the original investigation was negligent, as another police officer states. There’s a second crime scene, evidence that could have been lost in age-old files and a lot of lies clearly being told.

But ultimately, Pirie has to wade through these obstacles to get to the bottom of the case, even if she does think her gender could be being used in a tokenistic way.

Watch the trailer here: 

When and where will Karen Pirie be available to watch?

All episodes of Karen Pirie are available to stream on ITV Hub now, with the next two episodes airing weekly on Sundays at 9pm on ITV.

Images: ITV; Getty