After almost three years since cracking her inaugural mystery and attaining the esteemed title of Detective Inspector, Karen Pirie is poised to dive back into her investigative duties. The first visuals from Season 2 of the captivating British cold-case drama have been unveiled by BritBox and World Productions, showcasing Lauren Lyle‘s character as she embarks on a new and unsettling investigation that promises to captivate audiences. Adapted once more by Emer Kenny, this season draws inspiration from the second installment of Val McDermid‘s acclaimed detective novel series, A Darker Domain. The narrative follows the inspector as she navigates her newly acquired authority, which is put to the test with a perplexing case from 1984 that has baffled law enforcement, intrigued the public, and drawn the attention of nefarious individuals who want the truth to remain hidden.

This gripping Season 2 revolves around the harrowing case of Catriona and Adam Grant, a lovely heiress from a wealthy oil family and her young son aged two. One fateful evening, they were abducted at gunpoint outside a local fish and chip shop in Fife, triggering a media frenzy with ransom notes sent by the kidnappers. However, when the ransom letters ceased, the investigation hit a dead end, and the mother and son vanished without a trace. Fast forward to the present day, and a man’s remains have been discovered, showing undeniable connections to the kidnapping, providing Karen and her team with their first significant lead in years, intensifying the urgency to uncover the truth. As she delves deeper, Karen will unearth political rivalries and painful secrets linked to the disappearance of Cat and Adam, revealing that the shadows of the past are far from forgotten and could come back to threaten her.

The newly released images highlight Karen’s skilled team of investigators, who stand by her side as they search for answers, along with other crucial figures tied to the case. In this eagerly awaited Season 2 of Karen Pirie, viewers can expect the return of her dependable partner, DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray (Chris Jenks), and her romantically entangled colleague, DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt). Both characters accompany Karen through various settings, including alleys, streets, and even airplane hangars. Moreover, Emer Kenny‘s character, River Wilde, appears to have made a significant discovery in the local marshlands. They will all face the relentless scrutiny of Cat’s father, the depicted Sir Broderick Grant (James Cosmo). Given that the past plays a central role in this mystery, the series will also flash back to the autumn of 1984, featuring Julia Brown as the missing Cat and Thoren Ferguson as DI Anderson, an investigator from that era who encounters a burning car that may be linked to the abduction.

Discover the Talented Cast of Season 2 of ‘Karen Pirie’

In addition to the characters highlighted in the promotional images, Season 2 of Karen Pirie features a significantly expanded ensemble surrounding the Outlander star, Lauren Lyle. Along with Lyle, Jenks, Wyatt, and Kenny, returning actors include the talented Steve John Shepherd and Rakhee Thakrar. The present-day storyline introduces newcomers who are set to play pivotal roles, including Saskia Ashdown, Frances Tomelty, John Michie, and James Cosmo, with additional cast members such as James Fleet, Tom Mannion, and Tommaso Basili joining the cast. In the past storyline, Julia Brown and Thoren Ferguson will share the screen with Mark Rowley, Kat Ronney, Conor Berry, Stuart Campbell, Jamie Michie, Madeleine Worrall, Jack Stewart, and Helen Katamba. This impressive lineup aims to build upon the momentum of a first season that received a stellar 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes in 2022 and garnered significant acclaim for Lyle’s performance.

Mark your calendars for the premiere of Season 2 of Karen Pirie, set to debut on BritBox in the U.S. and Canada this October. For those who haven’t caught up yet, Season 1 is currently available for streaming. Don’t miss a sneak peek of the inspector’s second case showcased in the gallery above.