Scottish detective drama Karen Pirie has been dubbed a "breath of fresh air" by fans, with many binge-watching the series in one go. The ITV show, which first aired in 2022, is based on Val McDermid's novels and stars Outlander's Lauren Lyle as DS Karen Pirie.
Plot and Cast
The titular character is described as a young and fearless Scottish investigator with a "quick mouth and a tenacious desire for the truth". Tasked with digging up cold cases, she must uncover hidden truths that others have tried to conceal. The drama currently has two seasons, each with three episodes lasting around one hour and 30 minutes, making it ideal for binge-watching.
Karen's first task is a cold case involving the vicious murder of a teenager in St Andrews in the 1990s. When the case re-emerges through a true crime podcast, the team is led down a rabbit hole as they find evidence that could incriminate the original investigation. 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."
It continues: "But with a lack of forensic evidence, no charges were brought and the police investigation floundered. Twenty-five years on, someone appears to be willing to risk everything to keep the secrets surrounding the case hidden." The series is based on McDermid's novel The Distant Echo. When the first series aired, McDermid praised the cast for being "very talented and enthusiastic" and was overjoyed to shoot the drama in Scotland.
Critical and Fan Reception
The first season received rave reviews, with The Guardian giving it a four-star rating, writing: "Humour, confidence and charm are perfectly blended in this suspenseful adaptation of Val McDermid’s bestseller. As its young female detective tackles a cold case it really belts along." Fans also praised the series on Reddit, with one writing: "Really enjoyed it - I found her to be a breath of fresh air. Quite liked her DC and her roommate as well. I did figure out the murderer well before the end but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the rest."
Another claimed: "The best British crime drama on tv this year. I loved the first season so much I binged all the books." A third viewer said: "I very much enjoyed both seasons." One person was left lost after finishing the series: "God yes it's good. We binged watched it and now we haven't got anything else to watch."
Second Season and Availability
After the positive reaction, the show was commissioned for a second season, released in July 2025. In it, Karen must solve one of Scotland's most infamous mysteries after a man's body is found, with evidence circling back to the kidnapping of a young heiress 40 years prior. Series one and two of Karen Pirie can be watched on ITVX.
