ITV has confirmed that Karen Pirie will return for a third series, with Lauren Lyle reprising her role as the detective. The new season is based on Val McDermid's novel The Skeleton Road.
The first series, which aired in 2022, saw Pirie investigate the 25-year-old cold case of a murdered barmaid. The second season followed her probe into a death from the 1980s, when a young heiress and her son were kidnapped and never seen again.
Plot details for the new series
ITV has teased the storyline for the third instalment, which begins with the discovery of a man's remains hidden in the roof of a derelict Edinburgh building. Pirie learns that the victim fled the Balkans conflict of the 1990s for Scotland to marry a now famous author, whose identity stirs up a hornets' nest of publicity.
As the investigation develops, Karen unearths dangerous secrets and a vicious cycle of revenge as someone takes justice into their own hands. The question is whether Karen can stop the killer before they strike again, with the truth proving more shocking than anyone could have imagined.
Reactions from the team
Commissioning editor Huw Kennair Jones said: "We're thrilled to be returning to Karen Pirie and Lauren Lyle's award-winning performance in what promises to be another brilliant series. Based on Val McDermid's bestselling book, Gillian has woven a compelling story that will delight Karen's many fans. With the fantastic team at World Productions producing, the ITV and ITVX audience are in for a gripping drama."
Author Val McDermid said: "I'm thrilled to hear that plans are so far advanced for Karen Pirie series three. The Skeleton Road is a favourite with many readers, so it'll be particularly exciting to see it adapted. I feel very privileged to have such a talented team bringing my books to a wider audience and I can't wait to see what they make of it."
Lyle added: "Playing Karen Pirie has become one of the most delicious thrills of my career and knowing that people of the world want more of her and her bumbag is an absolute honour! With the added joy of getting to put my Executive Producer hat on for season 3, I can finally, much like Karen, whip all those higher up's into shape."
Audience and critical reception
Viewers were thrilled at the update, with one writing: "Brilliant news!" Another said: "I can't wait love a decent police drama." Someone else said: "She is just an excellent actor, and this series is so well written."
The crime drama scored a near-perfect 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, and Lyle won Best Actress - Television at the Bafta Scotland Awards in 2023. Viewers hailed it a "must-see", with one person saying: "Great detective with a fantastic Lauren Lyle. Funny, engaging. A classic British crime drama with a nice modern touch to it."
Karen Pirie is available to watch on ITVX.
