Karen Pirie series 3: ITV confirms Lauren Lyle will return as 'iconic' detective in her 'darkest and most challenging' case
Val McDermid's The Skeleton Road will be getting its very own TV adaptation
Karen Pirie will return with a series 3, ITV has finally confirmed, more than a year after series 2 ended.
Scottish actress Lauren Lyle, 33, will reprise her role as eye-rolling detective DS Karen Pirie in the upcoming episodes. This time, it’s the Val McDermid book The Skeleton Road that will be getting its very own adaptation.
ITV describes Val McDermid’s third book as “gripping and suspenseful”. This follows the hugely successful series 1 in 2022, and the following set of episodes in 2025.
Here’s everything we know so far about Karen Pirie series 3 on ITV.
What’s the plot of Karen Pirie series 3?
ITV has now confirmed that they are returning to a third series of Val McDermid’s internationally renowned cold case crime stories Karen Pirie.
The story starts with the discovery of a man’s remains hidden in the roof of a derelict Edinburgh building. DI Karen Pirie learns that the victim fled the Balkans conflict of the 1990s for the safety of 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.
Can Karen stop the killer before they kill again? And when present resentment collides with secrets of the past, the truth is more shocking than anyone could have imagined…
Who is in the cast?
As befitting a crime drama, ITV are being very mysterious about Karen Pirie series 3 so far. All we know is that Lauren Lyle will return in the iconic role of the fiercely intelligent Scottish detective.
Outlander’s Lauren Lyle has made the role of DI Karen Pirie her own after debuting in 2022 as the sharp-witted, Doc Marten-wearing detective whose modus operandi is to relentlessly pursue justice no matter what the cost.
Lauren Lyle said: “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 in to shape.
“In all seriousness, I’m so grateful to be bringing more Karen Pirie to our screens. Season 3 feels even more elevated, with an even wilder story full of thrills, twists, and of course, plenty of eye rolls.”
As for her series 2 cast mates Chris Jenks as DC Jason Murray, and Emer Kenny as River Wilde? More names will be announced in the coming months, so watch this space.
How many episodes is it?
Acclaimed Scottish screenwriter, Gillian Roger Park will adapt the novel The Skeleton Road into six episodes of one hour each. This is a change from series 1 and 2, which were three feature length episodes.
Gillian is known for The Young Offenders, Avenue 5, and The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (which also starred Lauren Lyle).
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.”
When’s the start date?
Hole your horses, ITV has only just announced Karen Pirie series 3. So we’ll have a bit of a wait.
Cast and crew will start filming next year, and we can hope for the series to drop next year too. Mark your diaries for 2027.
Karen Pirie series 2 is based on the book The Skeleton Road
The Skeleton Road is regarded as an “atmospheric and chilling mystery”. The adaptation has the blessing of Val McDermid, who executive produces the drama alongside World Productions CEO Simon Heath, lead writer Gillian Roger Park and Lauren Lyle.
Val McDermid said: “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.”
Writer Gillian Roger Park added: “I’m delighted to be taking the reins on Karen Pirie for series three as she takes on her darkest and most challenging case yet! The incomparable Val McDermid has created a truly distinctive and enduring character in Karen and it’s a real honour to follow Emer [Kenny], whose brilliant adaptation brought Karen’s world to the screen over two successful series. As a Scottish writer, I’m especially thrilled to continue showcasing modern Scotland and to write for Lauren, who plays Karen with such wit and fresh energy.”
Read more: The Ridge on BBC Two: Scottish and New Zealand cast led by Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle
