BritBox has officially announced that Season 2 of the critically acclaimed crime drama Karen Pirie will premiere in the U.S. and Canada on Thursday, October 2, with new episodes rolling out weekly through October 16. Season 1 is available for streaming now.
A New Cold Case to Crack
Detective Inspector Karen Pirie (Lauren Lyle), now promoted after her success in the first season, returns to face her most challenging case yet. This time, the story delves into the famous 1984 kidnapping of oil heiress Catriona Grant and her two-year-old son Adam, who were abducted at gunpoint outside a fish-and-chip shop in Fife. A ransom note sparked a media frenzy, but the trail went cold—and the mother and child were never seen again.
Decades later, the discovery of a man’s body linked to the original case gives Karen her first real lead in years. She assembles a premier investigative team—with DC Jason “Mint” Murray (Chris Jenks) and DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt) by her side—as they grapple with intense media scrutiny and pressure from the victim’s powerful father, Sir Broderick Grant (James Cosmo). Secrets emerge, and it becomes clear the past is far from resolved.
Season 2 Format & Source Material
Based on Val McDermid’s novel A Darker Domain, the second season follows the three-episode, two-hour structure established in Season 1. Known for its mix of noir atmosphere and emotional depth, the series continues to deliver gripping storytelling through a blend of modern and archival timelines.
Confirmed Cast — Returning & New
Season 2 of Karen Pirie brings back a strong lineup of familiar faces while introducing several compelling new characters. Lauren Lyle returns in the lead as Karen Pirie, joined once again by Chris Jenks as Jason “Mint” Murray, Zach Wyatt as Phil Parhatka, Emer Kenny as River Wilde, Steve John Shepherd as Simon Lees, and Rakhee Thakrar as Bel Richmond.
Joining the series for the new season are Saskia Ashdown as DC Isla Stark, James Cosmo as Sir Broderick Grant, Frances Tomelty as Lady Mary Grant, John Michie as Fergus Sinclair, and Julia Brown as Catriona “Cat” Grant in the 1984 timeline. These additions expand the story across both past and present, alongside further supporting cast members across the two eras.
Creative Team & Production Details
Season 2 is written by Emer Kenny, who also reprises her on-screen role as River Wilde. Direction comes from Gareth Bryn and Amanda Blue, with Marcus Wilson serving as producer. The executive producing team includes Simon Heath, Emma Luffingham, Emer Kenny, and Val McDermid, the author of the original novels. The series is produced by World Productions in association with ITV Studios, which also handles international distribution.
