Is Karen Pirie based on a true story?
The much-loved new series has left many viewers asking the same question – is it based on real-life events?
1
EastEnders actress Emer Kenny stars as River Wilde in Karen Pirie and also adapted the series from Val McDermid's crime novels
Is Karen Pirie based on a true story?
ITV's new drama Karen Pirie is not based on a true story.
The series was adapted for television by actress and screenwriter, Emer Kenny – who also stars in the drama alongside the show's lead, Lauren Lyle.
And while the characters are entirely fictional, Lyle explained what real-life research went into becoming Karen.
Lyle said: "It was really interesting when we were filming, we started at St Andrews Cathedral and one night we had police escorts with us.
"One of them was a 20-something blonde woman, and it turns out she was a detective from Methil, the same tiny town Karen is from! To me, she was the real Karen Pirie.
"So we exchanged numbers and we stayed in touch, it was like looking into a mirror for Karen."
Is Karen Pirie based on a book?
Karen Pirie is the work of best-selling Scottish writer Val McDermid and the first season came from her book The Distant Echo, while the second season is adapted from Val's novel A Darker Domain.
Val's novels have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and this isn't the first time they have been adapted for the small screen.
Her Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series were used as the basis for ITV crime drama Wire In The Blood.
Who is in the second season of Karen Pirie?
As mentioned above, Lauren Lyle is the lead actor and Emer Kenny, who adapted the novel for the ITV show, joins the cast as River Wilde.
Other cast members in season two include:
DC Jason 'Mint' Murray - Chris Jenks
DS Phil Parhatka - Zach Wyatt
River Wilde - Emer Kenny
DCS Simon Lees - Steve John Shepherd
DI Anderson - Thoren Ferguson
Isla - Saskia Ashdown
Catriona - Julia Brown
Sir Broderick Grant - James Cosmo
Lady Mary Grant - Frances Tomelty
Fergus Sinclair - John Michie
Bel Richmond - Rakhee Thakrar
Urban Myths actor Zach Wyatt stars as DS Phil Parhatka with Jhon Lumsden as Ziggy Jnr who has made appearances in Doctors.
Will there be a season three? Time will tell but you can keep up to date with all the best TV news and gossip with The Sun here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Love Island's Harry kisses Shakira's neck and goes in for a snog in intimate snuggling moment after rekindling romance
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island star Harry Cooksley can be seen kissing Shakira Khan's neck and goes in for a snog in an intimate snuggling moment between the pair, after they rekindled their romance. This year's edition of the ITV2 dating show has seen the three Islanders involved in a dramatic love triangle. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Love Island star Harry Cooksley can be seen kissing Shakira Khan's neck Credit: ITV 5 The couple enjoy an intimate moment away from the other Islanders Credit: ITV 5 Harry snuggles into Shakira Credit: ITV In tonight's episode, after choosing to sleep outside, Harry returns to the villa and sits down with Shakira to discuss where they stand. They share their strong feelings for one another and, later on in the episode, Harry chooses to recouple with Shakira, leaving Helena and Blu to coupe up. Just a short time later, Harry and Shakira have been seen getting very close in a preview clip played on Love Island's After Sun. Maya played the clip to the panellist and audience members, all of which audibly gasped as they watched Harry snuggle into Shakira and kiss her neck. The 22-year-old could be seen sat on Harry's lap, as the footballer cradled her in the girls' dressing room. She told him they'd be taking "baby steps" as he nestled into her neck after getting their relationship back on track. Eyeing up her lips, Harry leans in to snog Shakira, but she quickly turns away, allowing him to kiss her cheek instead. Earlier in the episode, Harry tells her: 'I have really tried with her [Helena], but we [Shakira and I] had like a week and it was, for me, the feelings were obviously way stronger and still are. "I'm sorry I never like tried again. I really thought the door was just, like, slammed.' Harry and Helena break down in tears as they cut final romantic ties in emotional scenes Shakira responds: 'Do you want some home truths… it's obviously the way you go about it and the steps you take in between to come to these conclusions obviously hurt people along the way. "It's all well and good you saying 'hold my hands up guys, sorry' but you still hurt people. And it's a pattern.' Harry then makes his intentions clear, saying: 'Look, I'm either leaving here alone or with you.' Both Harry and Helena broke down in tears multiple times in Sunday night's episode, as they cut their final romantic ties in emotional scenes. The duo have continued to deal with the fallout from The Grafties on the long-running ITV2 show. Helena told Harry: "You're so selfish, you've literally broken my heart Harry. Like I cannot be your friend in here. "And I will not be your friend on the outside, I can f****** promise you that. I don't want any association with you ever again." When he suggested that the duo may eventually become friends on the outside, she shut him down once again. "I don't think we will be friends Harry. You don't possess any morals or values that I look for when I'm becoming friends with people. "My friends don't treat me like that. I don't think you have an ounce of respect for me, you've literally ruined everything for me in here." She added: "I literally don't want anything to do with you Harry." That's when the footballers couldn't help but tear up after listening to her resounding words of rejection. Helena added: "I feel like I had something genuine in here and it's like obviously it wasn't. "I just feel so stupid because you clearly haven't felt the same as I felt about you this whole time." She couldn't help but wrap her arms around his neck in a gesture of pity as she caressed his face one more time. As they let go she exclaimed: "It's where the journey ends my darling!" 5 The pair were seen gazing at each other in a sneak preview Credit: ITV
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Ant McPartlin has near miss on golf course as he nearly drives his ball into his own car
Ant is holidaying in Portugal with his wife Anne-Marie DRIVER ERROR, ANT? Ant McPartlin has near miss on golf course as he nearly drives his ball into his own car Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LAUGHING Ant McPartlin drives his golf ball off the first tee - and nearly clubs his own motor. The TV star, 49, was playing a round with pals as he holidayed in Portugal. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Ant McPartlin was pictured playing a round of golf with pals in Portugal Credit: BackGrid 5 Ant drove his ball dangerously close to the car park Credit: BackGrid 5 The I'm a Celebrity host giggled at the near miss Credit: BackGrid But he got off to a nightmare start after sending his ball dangerously close to the car park. The I'm a Celebrity host, dressed in lime green shorts and matching top, giggled at the near miss. He quickly ironed out his game and putt it behind him to complete his round in the sun. A source said: 'He was in tee-rific spirits. 'He was laughing and joking with pals after the near miss. 'They thought it was hilarious. "It certainly could have been a lot worse. 'You could say he enjoyed a stroke of luck.' Ant is holidaying in Portugal with his wife, Anne-Marie, and kids, including his one-year-old son Wilder. Ant and Anne-Marie's Romantic Barbados Escape 5 Ant was out on the course dressed in lime green shorts and matching top Credit: BackGrid 5 Ant is holidaying in Portugal with his wife Anne-Marie Credit: BackGrid Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Rita Ora shows off her legs in red hot-pants paired with ‘I love mushrooms' tee
Rita recently returned to the music scene with single Heat RITA'S HAVING FUNGI Rita Ora shows off her legs in red hot-pants paired with 'I love mushrooms' tee Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SINGER Rita Ora looks magic in a top declaring 'I love mushrooms'. The 34-year-old paraded the statement on a T-shirt paired with red hot-pants and black boots. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Rita Ora stepped out in a T-shirt declaring, 'I love mushrooms' Credit: The Mega Agency 3 Rita was in Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera Credit: The Mega Agency Rita was in Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera with her husband, film director Taika Waititi. Rita has recently returned to the music scene with her new hit single, Heat. The raunchy song revolves around having sex, and has gone down well with fans. Talking about her new summer banger, the singer told The Sun: 'I wanted to really celebrate my sexuality and the way I am as a woman. 'My last album was so different, it was about my love life and getting married. 'But with this next lot of music I wanted it to be so carefree and back to how I was coming up in the industry. 'I wanted to celebrate everything I have become. "It's not super deep, just fun.' 'Finally a cute collection' shoppers cry as Rita Ora drops summer Primark range
