The new three-part series will once again be adapted by Emer Kenny, this time from Val McDermid’s A Darker Domain.
News of the second series will come as no surprise to anyone who watched the hugely successful first series, which launched with 6.6m viewers and averaged 5.9m across the series making it one of the most watched new dramas on ITV last year. The series was also in the top 10 dramas on ITVX and will once again be produced by World Productions.
Series two of Karen Pirie will be based on A Darker Domain, the second in the internationally bestselling Karen Pirie novels and once again star Lauren Lyle as the young and fearless Scottish investigator with a quick mouth and tenacious desire for the truth.
In this second season, Karen reopens the investigation into the unsolved kidnap of a wealthy young heiress and her baby son back in 1985.
Speaking about returning to the role, Lauren Lyle said "I'm thrilled that we will continue the life of our fearless young detective Karen Pirie, and of course, her bumbag. I've known for a while how well the show has gone down behind the scenes so it's been a joy to see audiences want more."
"It's a creative honour to work alongside Emer Kenny with the backbone of Val McDermid's story, season one was incredibly exciting building an original character we hadn't seen before. I look forward to getting the gang back together and finally being able to answer the question: ‘Please say there will be a season two?’ with an ‘Oh yes.’"
Emer Kenny will return to write and executive produce the three 120-minute-long episodes alongside Scottish writer Gillian Roger Park.
Speaking about the news that Karen Pirie will be returning, Emer Kenny said "The first series of Karen Pirie was a true labour of love, so it was thrilling to receive such an amazing response from audiences. That reaction has meant we’ve been asked back to make more, and we will happily oblige - the second book is partially set in Tuscany, and we all fancy the trip!"
"Thank you to everyone who watched our show, and to ITV for ordering a second round. We’ll endeavour to bring you something refreshing and riveting (with lovely Italian views)."
Karen Pirie has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones who will oversee production from the channel’s perspective. Speaking about the new series, Huw said "We're thrilled the audience loves Karen Pirie as much as we do and can't wait to get going on Val McDermid's fantastic A Darker Domain with World Productions. Returning to the world and characters that Emer so skillfully created and Lauren so brilliantly realised promises to be as exciting and fresh as series 1."
To which Executive Producer for World Productions, Simon Heath added "The combination of Emer’s brilliant writing and Lauren’s terrific performance brought a magical chemistry to Val’s much loved Scottish detective. We can’t wait to resume Karen’s journey later in the year."
The novels of celebrated crime writer Val McDermid have sold over 17 million copies worldwide and on news that another of her novels it so be adapted, Val McDermid said "I know the millions of viewers all over the world who loved the first Karen Pirie series will be as thrilled at this news as I am. I can't wait to see how the team bring the next book, A Darker Domain, to life!"
Filming will commence in Scotland in early 2024 and details of further casting and key production personnel will be advised in the coming months.
Karen Pirie will return on ITV1
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