One Outlander star will soon be back on our screens for a crime drama that has proved to be a surprise hit.
Outlander star Lauren Lyle, who portrays Marsali in the popular Starz fantasy drama, is soon returning to our screens.
The actress, who also recently appeared in Netflix’s Toxic Town, is making her comeback as the titular character in ITV’s Karen Pirie.
When it launched back in 2022, the Scottish crime series was named ‘the best police drama this year’, and now it is set for an ‘epic’ return.
The show, which became something of a surprise hit for ITV, is set to air its second season soon, though an official release date has not yet been announced.
We will see Lyle reprise her role as DS Karen Pirie, a young detective sergeant who is put in charge of investigating a 25-year-old cold case that has become of interest to true crime podcast enthusiasts in season 1.
The show is based on Val McDermid’s book series, Inspector Karen Pirie, and the first season is based on her novel The Distant Echo.
It centres around the stabbing of teenage barmaid Rosie Duff, whose murder was never solved.
The second season will be focused on second book A Darker Domain, which sees Karen investigating the kidnapping of heiress Catriona Grant (Julia Brown) and her young son in 1984.
The official synopsis reads: “In the turmoil of 1984, when young heiress to the Grant oil fortune Catriona Grant is kidnapped at gunpoint with her young son, it’s assumed that the motivation is political.
“The huge investigation creates an uncontrollable press storm… but when the culprits unexpectedly fall silent, the case runs cold. Cat and Adam are never seen again.
“Forty years later, when a man’s body is discovered, Karen Pirie is assigned to reopen the case in complete secrecy.
“With the first key piece of evidence in decades, Karen must try to unlock one of Scotland’s most infamous mysteries, whilst battling increasing media attention.
“What happened to Cat Grant and why do sinister forces want the secrets of her disappearance to remain hidden?”
Alongside Outlander’s and World on Fire’s Brown, the star-studded cast of Karen Pirie includes Sex Education star Chris Jenks, The Witcher: Blood Origin’s Zach Wyatt, Harry Potter’s Steve John Shepherd and Unforgotten’s Frances Tomelty.
Lyle’s Outlander co-star Jack Stewart, who plays Charles Morgan in the series, also takes on the role of young Fergus.
Writer and Executive Producer Emer Kenny, famed for her roles in EastEnders and Father Brown, stars as River Wilde in the show.
Speaking about the show’s return, Kenny reflected on the unusual relatability of Karen Pirie.
“When she’s laughing, I’m laughing. When she’s stressed, I’m stressed. When she turns to drink… well, you get the idea,” she previously revealed.
“So I’m delighted to be bringing her back to your screens, now a Detective Inspector with more power, more confidence, and some of the same iconic sweater vests.
“We have a dazzling cast, an heroic crew, and epic plot-twists. If Karen Pirie isn’t already your favourite detective, I promise she will be soon.”
Karen Pirie season 1 is available to stream on ITVX. Outlander season 7 is available to buy on Digital and is streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video.