Series synopsis
Karen Pirie is a British crime drama television series that premiered on ITV1 on September 25, 2022. It was created by Emer Kenny, Gareth Bryn. It stars Lauren Lyle, Chris Jenks, Zach Wyatt and Emer Kenny.
When a 25-year-old murder in St Andrews becomes the subject of a provocative true-crime podcast, DS Karen Pirie is tasked with heading up a review. Digging up the past, Karen uncovers fresh evidence and a potential perpetrator. But when suspects start coming under attack, the cold case turns into an active investigation. Can Karen find the killer before it’s too late?
Premise
When a 25-year-old murder in St Andrews becomes the subject of a provocative true-crime podcast, DS Karen Pirie is tasked with heading up a review. Digging up the past, Karen uncovers fresh evidence and a potential perpetrator. But when suspects start coming under attack, the cold case turns into an active investigation. Can Karen find the killer before it’s too late?
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Lauren Lyle as DS Karen Pirie
- Chris Jenks as DC Jason Murray
- Zach Wyatt as DS Phil Parhatka
- Emer Kenny as River Wilde
- Rakhee Thakrar as Bel Richmond
- Ariyon Bakare as Alex Gilbey Snr
- Michael Shaeffer as Weird Mackie Snr
- Stuart Bowman as Chief Superintendent Lawson
Supporting cast
- Jack Hesketh as Weird Mackie Jnr
- Jhon Lumsden as Ziggy Malkiewicz Jnr
- Buom Tihngang as Alex Gilbey Jnr
- Gilly Gilchrist as DI Barney MacLennan
- Gemma McElhinney as PC Janice Hogg
- Kevin Mains as DS Jimmy Lawson
- Steve John Shepherd as DI Simon Lees
- Anna Russell-Martin as Rosie Duff
- Bobby Rainsbury as Grace Galloway
- Alec Newman as Ziggy Malkiewicz Snr
- Daniel Portman as Colin Duff Jnr
- Gary Lamont as Paul
Guest cast
- Barrie Hunter as Professor Keen
- Rian Gordon as Donnie
- Josh Whitelaw as Brian Duff Jnr
- Layla Kirk as Iona Kaleel Jnr
- Ron Donachie as Archie Duff
- Richard Conlon as John Stobie
- Zara Janjua as Journalist
- James Uphill as Student (uncredited)
- Christopher McPhillips as CID officer (uncredited)
- Natalie McConnon as Tracey
- Harry McDowell as Office DI (uncredited)
- Nalini Chetty as Iona Kaleel Snr
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 6 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | September 25, 2022 | October 9, 2022 |
| Season 2 | 3 | July 20, 2025 | July 20, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 When a historic murder case in St Andrews becomes the subject of a provocative true crime podcast, fearless detective Karen Pirie is tasked with heading up the cold case review. |
September 25, 2022 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 With suspects under attack, Karen's cold case review becomes a live investigation. Is someone out for revenge for Rosie's death, or trying to ensure that the truth remains hidden? |
October 2, 2022 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Karen is forced to confront a version of the truth she never thought possible - with everything at stake, will she finally find Rosie's killer and achieve justice after 25 years? |
October 9, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 When a body is discovered in a quarry, DI Karen Pirie and her team are tasked with reopening the case of the infamous 1984 kidnapping of an heiress and her son. |
July 20, 2025 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 The team are closer than ever to the truth as Karen digs into Cat's life and disappearance, but a shock discovery changes the course of the investigation. |
July 20, 2025 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The case takes a dramatic turn and the pressure from all sides increases as Karen races to track down those responsible for the kidnap before the truth is buried. |
July 20, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 25, 2022 |
| Last aired | July 20, 2025 |
| Runtime | 88 minutes |
| Status | continue |