Outlander star to make epic return to ITV show hailed as 'best police drama this year'

sensation Lauren Lyle, famed for her role as Marsali, is poised to dazzle us anew on our screens. The esteemed actress, recently seen in Netflix's Toxic Town, will return as the lead in the gripping series Karen Pirie.

The Scottish detective spectacle was hailed as 'the best police drama this year' when it debuted in 2022 and is now gearing up for what promises to be an 'epic' second installment. While viewers eagerly await the precise broadcast date for the next season, anticipation builds for Lyle's reprisal of her part as DS Karen Pirie.

In the first series, the young detective sergeant tackles the intricate tapestry of a 25 year old cold case that captivates true crime podcast aficionados.

Adapted from Val McDermid's esteemed Inspector Karen Pirie book series, with its inaugural outing drawing from her novel The Distant Echo, the narrative dives deep into the unsolved killing of teenage barmaid Rosie Duff.

The forthcoming season plans to delve into McDermid's second tome, A Darker Domain, which entangles DS Pirie in a probing investigation into the 1984 abduction of oil heiress Catriona Grant, portrayed by Julia Brown, and her son.

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, reports .

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.