Outlander star drops cryptic hint at future of gripping ITV crime drama away from Starz
Outlander sensation Lauren Lyle has spoken out about the prospects of her other successful show, ITV's crime series Karen Pirie, following its well-received second season.
At 32, Lyle, who is widely recognised for her role as Marsali Fraser alongside Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in the popular Starz series, first stepped into the shoes of Val McDermid's famed detective in 2022.
Fast forward three years, and the acclaimed crime drama has returned with a vengeance, featuring Pirie's rise to Detective Inspector and her investigation into a spine-tingling cold case from the 1980s.
After drawing on McDermid's initial two novels, The Distant Echo and A Darker Domain, Lyle teased the possibility of more adaptations during her appearance on Sunday Brunch.
the Scottish Daily Express.
To which Lauren responded affirmatively: "Yeah, well Val McDermid, who wrote the books, who's dubbed the Queen of Crime, I believe, she's written, I think, the eighth book or something?"
As it stands, there are seven published novels in the Karen Pirie series, with Past Lying being the most recent in 2023.
The forthcoming instalment, Silent Bones, is set to be released this October.
Lyle also mentioned: "I did the voiceover for the audiobook," and added, "I mean, the production company has said 'Lauren could be doing this into her 40s', so maybe so."
She concluded with optimism: "I think everyone wants to see it go."
While ITV has yet to officially announce a third season for Karen Pirie, the strong ratings and positive critical reception indicate that the show's fanbase is continuing to grow.
The broadcaster took roughly four months following the debut of the first series to greenlight the show's return, meaning viewers will probably need to be patient a bit longer for official confirmation of a third instalment.
Simon Rimmer interjected, "Because it's such a great character..." with Lovejoy nodding in agreement: "It is really good, yeah.
"I think the humour and her, and the bumbag, sets her apart," Lauren elaborated.
"Whenever anyone says it's a crime detective show, I'm kind of like... everyone who watches it goes 'Oh my God, it's not that at all'.
"You sort of fall in love with this woman and her life, her boyfriend and her personal life.
"And then it's not just the case. And with the case you get such a deep insight into their lives, the 80s. You flash back and see the whole of the 80s."
After another gripping episode last Sunday, viewers have just one final episode to anticipate this week before Pirie's current cold case reaches its conclusion.
Following that, there are hopes the ITV series will bring McDermid's third novel in the collection, The Skeleton Road, to the small screen.
Karen Pirie season 2 concludes Sunday, 3rd August on ITV and ITVX.
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