Karen Pirie will be back in series 2 of the ITV detective drama, based on the popular novels by crime writer Val McDermid.

The upcoming series will see the return of Lauren Lyle to her BAFTA-winning role as the fearless young investigator Karen Pirie.

Series 1 first aired in 2022, with critics describing it as "perfectly blending humour, confidence and charm in this suspenseful adaptation" (The Guardian).

So when will series 2 of Karen Pirie start on ITV, and what can we expect in terms of plot, and cast? Here's everything you need to know.

Is there a Karen Pirie series 2? What's the plot?

After the success of Karen Pirie series 1 on ITV1 and ITVX, it's no surprise that the channel commissioned a second series.

Series 2 begins in the societal turmoil of 1984 when wealthy oil heiress Catriona Grant is kidnapped at gunpoint with her young son Adam. At first, it's assumed that the motivation is political but, when the culprits unexpectedly fall silent, the case runs cold and Catriona and Adam are never seen again.

Forty years later, Karen Pirie is called to investigate when a man's body is discovered in connection to the cold case.

She reopen the case in complete secrecy. The synopsis reads: "With the first key piece of evidence in decades, Karen and the team must try to unlock one of Scotland's most infamous mysteries while avoiding media attention."

Who plays Karen Pirie?

Actress Lauren Lyle, 31, portrays the dogged detective Karen Pirie in the detective series of the same name.

The Scottish actress is probably best known for playing Jade Antoniak in Vigil series 1, and Marsali MacKimmie Fraser in Outlander.

She's also been in films, including the recent Saoirse Ronan movie The Outrun.

Who is in the cast of Karen Pirie 2?

Actor Chris Jenks returns as DC Jason 'Mint' Murray in the cast of Karen Pirie. Vigil fans will recognise him as Callum Barker in series 2 of Vigil, but he's also famous for playing Jamie in The Athena, Steve Morley in Sex Education, and Josh Woods in Beyond Paradise.

The Witcher: Blood Origin actor Zach Wyatt stars as DS Phil Parhatka, opposite Father Brown's Emer Kenny as Professor River Wilde. Emer also wrote the drama!

Steve John Shepherd - aka EastEnders' baddie Michael Moon - stars as DCS Lees, while Rakhee Thakrar plays journalist Bel Richmond. Rakhee is also best known for her role in EastEnders. She played Shabnam Masood from 2014 to 2016.

Six Four star Saskia Ashdown will portray newcomer DC Isla Stark, opposite Nightsleeper's James Cosmo and Unforgotten's Frances Tomelty as Catriona’s parents Sir Broderick Grant and his ex-wife Mary.

Holby City fave John Michie will play Fergus Sinclair, the father of Cat's
son Adam.

Meanwhile, back in 1984, World On Fire's Julia Brown stars as Catriona Grant, opposite One Day's Mark Rowley as Mick, Dinosaur's Kat Ronney as Bonnie, Schemers' Conor Berry as Andy, and The Winter King's Stuart Campbell as Kevin.

Back to Life's Jamie Michie plays young Brodie Grant, The Legend of Tarzan's Madeleine Worrall plays young Mary Grant, and Outlander's Jack Stewart is young Fergus. The original investigation is helmed by Thoren Ferguson (Rebus) as DI Anderson and Helen Katamba (The Nest) as DC Laurel Blair.

What book is Karen Pirie series 2 based on?

Karen Pirie series 2 is adapted from Val McDermid's novel A Darker Domain. The Scottish crime writer is perhaps most famous for the ITV series Wire in the Blood series, which features clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan. It was adapted for television with Robson Green and Hermione Norris.

Karen Pirie is based on Val's cold case detective of the same name. The first series was based on Val McDermid's original Karen Pirie novel The Distant Echo, which was published in 2003.

There are currently seven books in the series, with the most recent book in the series being Past Lying. An eighth book, entitled Silent Bones, is coming soon.

Actress and screenwriter Emer Kenny - who also stars in the drama - adapted the series for TV.

When is Karen Pirie back with series 2? How can I watch?

The second series of detective drama Karen Pirie is due to land on ITV1 and ITVX in the winter schedule. That's between January and March 2025.

Series 1 is currently available to watch on ITVX.

How many episodes is it?

Karen Pirie is expected to be three feature-length episodes like series 1.

Series 1 went out in September 2022 on consecutive Sunday nights.

Karen Pirie series 1 is currently available to watch on ITVX. Series 2 will land in 2025.