Karen Pirie returns for a second series of gripping twists and turns as another unsolved murder case is rediscovered.
The murder-mystery whodunnit is set and filmed in Scotland, with its incredible vistas of stunning coastal lines and historic villages lending an eerie feel to proceedings.
Series one was watched by a big audience when it aired in 2022, but with a new murder case to investigate, the second run shouldn’t deter newcomers.
Based on the crime novels penned by Val McDermid, the new series is adapted from the Scottish crime writer’s 2008 page-turner, A Darker Domain.
Here’s everything you need to know about the second series, including its filming locations.
What is Karen Pirie about?
The Scottish crime drama follows Detective Inspector Karen Pirie, freshly promoted after the events of series one.
Karen is put in charge of an infamous cold case from the ’80s that has gained fresh scrutiny from senior police, the media, and the victim’s relatives.
In 1984, Catriona Grant, the daughter of a wealthy local oil tycoon, was abducted, along with her infant son. The ransom notes that followed stirred up a huge press storm, but the culprits were never traced and neither Catriona nor her son were seen again.
But when, in the present day, a body is found with an undeniable link to the historic crime, Karen and her team must discover the truth under intense personal and professional pressure.
Expect a slew of twists and turns that will put your own detective skills to the test.
Karen Pirie season 2 filming locations
The kidnapping scene was filmed in the town of Kinghorn, Fife
Karen Pirie opens with the dramatic kidnapping scene that the series revolves around.
Oil tycoon heiress Catriona and her infant son Adam meet up with close friend Bonnie. They grab fish and chips, before taking in the views of the coast from Kinghorn station. But when they all bid farewell, Catriona and Adam are bundled into a car and abducted.
These scenes were filmed on the streets of Kinghorn, a coastal town in Fife, with additional footage captured in the nearby town of Inverkeithing.
The cottage where the hostages are held is the Luss Estate in Loch Lochmond
This location is featured across both timelines, with viewers first seeing Karen investigate the remote cottage where Catriona and Adam were held, before later flashback scenes showing Catriona and her abductors in a fierce showdown.
These scenes were filmed at the Luss Estate. The Highland estate on the banks of Loch Lochmond has previously featured in Black Mirror and Netflix’s The Outlaw King.
Karen and Phil have their romantic date at The Citizen in Glasgow
In the present day, Karen has her own struggles to deal with outside of the murder case. She’s grappling with her relationship with police colleague Phil, as the pair struggle to keep work and romance separate.
In the opening episode, the pair head to Glasgow’s The Citizen bar and restaurant for a date.
The police station scenes were filmed at Glenrothes police station
When she’s not travelling across Scotland to investigate the crime, Karen can be found in the police station, regrouping with her colleagues on the case. The police station scenes were filmed at the real Glenrothes Police Station.
A fateful nightclub encounter takes place outside Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom
Legendary music venue the Barrowland also features in season 2. In one of the flashback scenes, we see pals Catriona and Bonnie head out to a nightclub to blow off some steam, where the former meets a shady character who becomes pivotal to her abduction plot.
A dramatic showdown was filmed at the Caiplie Caves, Anstruther
The Caiplie Caves are used as a filming location for dramatic scenes as the series reaches its climax.
In the present day, Karen and her colleagues inspect the caves, and find a vital clue to solving the mystery.
In the past, there’s a tense showdown between Catriona’s abductors and her family members.
The investigation scenes were filmed in Malta
As the investigation comes to a head and secrets from 40 years ago are uncovered, Karen and her team head to Malta to pursue a suspect.
Filming took place in Malta’s capital, Valletta, with its historic 16th-century buildings and coastal views giving an idyllic contrast to the harrowing murder case.
Is there a trailer for Karen Pirie?
Check out the promo below for a taste of the drama.
When is Karen Pirie season 2 released?
The second series of Karen Pirie starts at 8pm on ITV on Sunday, July 20.
There are three episodes in the series, with the remaining two airing on Sunday, July 27 and Sunday, August 3.
All episodes will be available to stream on ITVX from Sunday, July 20.
Who is in the Karen Pirie cast?
Lauren Lyle returns as Detective Inspector Karen Pirie. It’s been a busy year for the actress having also appeared in Toxic Town and The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Chris Jenks (Sex Education) as DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray, with Zach Wyatt (The Witcher: Blood Origin) as Karen’s boyfriend and colleague, DS Phil Parhatka.
James Cosmo (Braveheart) as oil tycoon Sir Broderick Grant. Julia Brown (The Last Kingdom) stars as victim Catriona Grant, daughter of Sir Broderick.
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