Val McDermid’s Inspector Karen Pirie series of novels was adapted for the small screen last year with Outlander star Lauren Lyle playing the fearless Detective Karen Pirie. Based on the first novel The Distant Echo, ITV’s crime drama follows the titular character as she becomes in-charge of a cold case review. Her investigation unearths flaws that compromised the original inquiry in 1995, leading to buried secrets unravelling with threatening menace. Having secured a successful debut, the show is set to return for Season 2 as well.
Karen Pirie TV series plot
After DS Karen Pirie is promoted to Police Scotland’s Historic Cases Unit, the young female detective tackles a cold case of a murdered teenage barmaid, Rosie Duff.
This is after the historic murder case in St Andrews becomes publicly discussed during a provocative true crime podcast, forcing the authorities to reopen the case. At the time, three drunken students who found her body were suspected of the crime, but they were never charged.
When the suspects become the subject of violent attacks, Karen’s cold case review turns into a live investigation. Is someone seeking vengeance for Rosie’s tragic fate or ensuring that the truth remains hidden?
The already heated situation is aggravated when Karen uncovers flaws in the original investigation, putting her at odds with the very detectives who were tasked to solve the case nearly twenty five years ago.
The gripping crime drama is produced by World Productions, the production company behind acclaimed British crime shows, including Line of Duty, Vigil, and Fifteen Love.
Screenwriter Emer Kenny adapts it for the small screen while Gareth Bryn directs. Unlike several crime procedurals, Karen Pirie refreshingly revamps the genre by putting a young woman at the helm of a complex investigation.
Karen Pirie episodes
The crime series consists of three episodes, which you can stream online exclusively on BritBox. Even better, the series has been renewed for a second season after a successful first run. While waiting for Karen Pirie Season 2 to premiere, possibly towards the end of 2024, you can watch the first season on demand.
| Karen Pirie episodes | Run Time | Streaming Service |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | 1hr 25 mins | BritBox |
| Episode 2 | 1hr 25 mins | BritBox |
| Episode 3 | 1hr 25 mins | BritBox |
Karen Pirie trailer
You can watch the BritBox trailer for the crime drama below.
What other streaming services are Karen Pirie on?
The three-part crime thriller is a BritBox exclusive in Australia. Fortunately, British telly fans can trial the streaming service for 7 days free, allowing you to watch the entire series. We can also expect for Karen Pirie Season 2 to drop on BritBox once it becomes available.
| Streaming Services | Available? |
|---|---|
| BritBox | Yes |
How to watch Karen Pirie on BritBox
To watch the crime series, BritBox is currently streaming every episode in Australia. The UK content-dedicated service also offers a 7-day free trial, so new customers can easily sign up for an account to access every gripping crime series that British television is best known for.
With just a single tier, there’s no need to pick more expensive plans in order to stream simultaneously. BritBox allows users to stream on up to five screens at the same time for the monthly price of $8.99. If you want to save a little bit, you can opt for the $89.99 annual plan, which works out to be only around $7.50 per month.
In addition to an excellent catalogue of content from BBC and ITV like Line of Duty, The Durrells, Endeavour, and many other best shows on BritBox, the streaming service offers new originals that are just as binge-worthy.
Cast of Karen Pirie
Outlander actress Lauren Lyle stars as the fearless Scottish investigator in this adaptation of Val Mcdermid’s series of novels. Lyle is also best known for her role in another World Productions series Vigil.
Here, we’ve listed the complete cast of Karen Pirie.
Other shows on BritBox you might like
BritBox is filled with great drama, comedy, TV classics, and much more exciting content from the UK. Check out what’s on BritBox now for a preview of what shows and movies are up for grabs.
Here are also some other TV series on the platform you might like:
Streaming devices for watching on BritBox
Catch your favourite BritBox shows using the devices below:
Devices supported on BritBox
Streaming Devices
- Apple TV (4th generation and higher)
- Android TV (Android OS 5.0)
- Fetch TV
- Foxtel iQ3, iQ4, or iQ5
Smart TV
- LG Smart TV (2017 versions or newer)
- Samsung Smart TVs (versions of Tizen 2.3 or newer)
- Hisense TV
Mobile devices
- iPhone
- iPad
- Android
Casting
- AirPlay
- Chromecast
Web Browsers
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, MS Edge, and Internet Explorer on Mac or Windows desktop/laptop
Unfortunately, BritBox isn’t currently available on games consoles like the Nintendo Switch.
