Is Karen Pirie based on a true story?
The much-loved
Advertisement
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,
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.
Advertisement
"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."
Read More on Karen Pirie
Is Karen Pirie based on a book?
Karen Pirie is the work of best-selling Scottish writer
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.
Advertisement
Most read in TV
Exclusive
Her Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series were used as the basis for ITV crime drama Wire In The Blood.
latest on itv
Exclusive
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,
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 -
Fergus Sinclair - John Michie
Bel Richmond - Rakhee Thakrar
Advertisement
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
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit comedian with massive YouTube following lands huge deal with Apple to make first standalone TV show
CHICKEN Shop Date star Amelia Dimoldenberg has landed a huge deal with Apple to make her first standalone TV show. The comedian, who launched her YouTube series a decade ago, has interviewed a string of megastars including Advertisement 5 Chicken Shop Date star Amelia Dimoldenberg pictured with Louis Theroux Amelia has 3.17million subscribers to her YouTube channel, 4million followers on TikTok and 2.7million on Instagram. So Apple knows it will have a ready-made audience for her show, which is expected to drop on the streamer later this year or early 2026. A TV insider said: 'The programme is all about megafans of famous people and what makes them tick. 'One of the main groups the show makers have been approaching are devotees of Taylor Swift who must be among the most fanatical fanbase of any superstar. Advertisement More on Amelia Dimoldenberg 'It's believed the finished show will include footage from fans who attended her recent Eras tour in the UK.' Amelia also has a long list of famous fans who've been clamouring to get interviewed by her. She's also bagged herself some seriously sought-after dates too, which all take place inside a Morley's chicken shop. These include with actors Jonathan Bailey, Paul Mescal, Advertisement Most read in News TV Exclusive It was also how Amelia was seen meeting Louis three years ago. And they have bumped into each other since as she's taken on more red carpet interviewing duties at a string of events. 'You couldn't' - Ice cold Cole Palmer shuts down Amelia Dimoldenberg in viral interview at GQ's Men of the Year awards If anyone's qualified to examine the culture of superfans, it's definitely this friend-to-the-stars. FORTUNE TELLER ON MOVE 5 Stephen Mangan reckons Fortune Hotel could be on the move Credit: Getty Advertisement STEPHEN MANGAN has hinted his show Fortune Hotel is set for a location switch. The Traitors-style ITV series is currently set on the Caribbean island of Grenada, but, if a third series gets the go ahead, he reckons they will be on the move. The Password star revealed all when he was asked if he only took the hosting gig for a free exotic holiday. On the Table Manners podcast, he said: 'Of course. How is that even a question? Advertisement 'It's a lot of fun. And we filmed the first series in Grenada, and then we film the second series in exactly the same place. 'But I think if it goes again, we'll go to other parts of the world.' Handy for the air miles. ITV's coverage of England Lionesses Euro 2025 semi-final victory over Italy on Tuesday was watched by a peak of 10.2 million across all devices – giving ITV its biggest peak audience of 2025 across ITV1 and ITVX. It was also ITVX's biggest day this year with 17.2m streams. Advertisement OXO HAS JAMES IN A STEW 5 James Buckley was detained when he tried to bring OXO cubes into America Credit: Rex INBETWEENERS star James Buckley was detained on suspicion of drug smuggling when he tried to bring OXO cubes into America. The actor, foul-mouthed teen Jay Cartwright in the Channel 4 sitcom, found himself on the wrong side of US airport security, who were confused by the small foil cubes he had in his bag. James explained he was bringing British gravy granules to his wife Clair's Scottish auntie Dora. Advertisement But after confiscating his meaty contraband he is now on a watchlist and his boarding pass for US flights is marked SSSS (Secondary Security Screening Selection). On his and Clair's The Buckleys podcast, he said: 'Anytime I go to America I have to open my suitcase, not because I was smuggling drugs . . . it's because I tried to get some OXO cubes into the country.' He added: 'I'm not a criminal mastermind by any means.' THE latest Race Across The World was an even bigger ratings hit for the BBC than its predecessors. Advertisement After the 28-day consolidated figures were compiled it showed that each episode was viewed an average of 7.5m times – that's up from the 6.7m who viewed the fourth series. KAT WHO GOT THE DREAM 5 Sheridan Smith reveals how she wanted to 'do Ann Ming's story justice' Credit: Jonty Davies/Good Housekeeping UK SHERIDAN SMITH got all glammed up for her Good Housekeeping front cover, which is a little different to her appearance in her latest ITV drama. In I Fought The Law, she will play Ann Ming, who battled to bring the murderer of her daughter Julie Hogg to justice. Advertisement Talking in the September edition of the magazine, Sheridan discussed meeting Ann while filming, saying: 'It's probably the hardest job I've ever done, partly because I wanted to do Ann Ming's story justice. 'She's a little firecracker of a woman who took on the establishment and won. 'She's my hero. 'I was thrilled to be asked to play her and couldn't wait to meet her. Advertisement 'Her story hit especially hard as I'm a mum myself now.' 'I instantly loved her. 'She's salt of the earth. 'Tough, yet vulnerable. Advertisement 'She's been through unthinkable things. 'But I was nervous because she's such a strong lady. 'She came on set one day and I was smoking. 'She said, 'Put that out! That's not very me.' Advertisement 'I was like, 'Yes, Ann. Yes of course.' 'I put it out immediately. 'I felt like a very naughty girl.' 5 Sheridan Smith got all glammed up for her Good Housekeeping front cover Advertisement
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Emmerdale star set for huge jungle return as he is lined up for I'm A Celebrity All Stars after narrowly losing in final
SOAP star Adam Thomas is ready to boomerang back to the jungle for I'm A Celebrity's All Stars edition. The ex-Emmerdale actor hopes to take gold after coming third to Scarlett Moffatt and Joel Dommett in 2016. Advertisement 3 Adam is being lined-up for a return to the jungle for All Stars Credit: Shutterstock 3 He came third in 2018, losing out to Scarlett Moffatt and Joel Dommett Credit: Shutterstock 3 He recently fronted game show 99 To Beat with brother Ryan Credit: ITV During the run, he was dubbed Mr Bushtucker Trial for taking on the most ever challenges - 12 - a record he holds to this day. Adam, 36, then became a jungle VIP by returning to host spin-off show Extra Camp in 2019 alongside Joel and A source said: 'This will be a glorious return for Adam as he established himself as a true fan favourite through his series in camp and then on the spin-off show. 'He's stayed in the limelight, too, with Waterloo Road and then on ITV alongside Advertisement More on Adam Thomas 'It's the perfect time for him to head back into the jungle and affirm his position as Mr Bushtucker Trial.' Adam is in advanced talks with ITV about signing for legends' series second run, due to be filmed in rugged Kruger National Park in South Africa this Autumn and will air next year. The first all-star version in 2023 saw the returns of Myleene Klass, Helen Flanagan, Advertisement Most read in Reality It was one of the biggest entertainment shows of 2023, averaging 5.2m viewers per episode. I'm A Celebrity's regular run will return as normal to Australia this November. First look at Ryan and Adam Thomas's huge new ITV gameshow 99 To Beat with tears and tantrums as contestants battle for £25k prize I'm a Celebrity All Stars 2025: Rumoured line-up so far Adam Thomas The Emmerdale star first appeared on I'm a Celeb in 2019, where he finished in third place. Harry Redknapp Ex-football manager Harry won the 2018 series. Scarlett Moffatt The former Gogglebox star beat Adam in 2019 to be crowned Queen of the Jungle. Seann Walsh Comedian Seann entered the jungle in 2022 - after his Strictly scandal in 2018, when he was snapped snogging married pro Katya Jones. Gemma Collins The GC lasted just three days in the jungle in 2014 before quitting due to the lack of a proper toilet and sparse food.
Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Assault case against Scottish mobster and Kinahan ally Robert Kelbie dropped
He was due to go on trial on two counts An assault case against Scottish mobster and friend of Daniel Kinahan, Robert Kelbie, has been dropped, the Sunday World has learned. The 41-year-old was due to go on trial, accused of attacking Malcom Gemmill, by punching him in the head at the Newbridge Inn pub near Edinburgh between August 1 and 30, 2021. He was also accused of 'acting in an aggressive manner' towards Mr Gemmill and another person, Lacey Moffat, in Tranent, East Lothian in June 2022. Appearing in Edinburgh Sheriff Court, last February, Kelbie pleaded not guilty to both charges. His co-accused, Lisa Eardley, of South Gyle, Edinburgh, is alleged to have knowingly or recklessly procured medical information relating to Mr Gemmill without consent and disclosing the information to another at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on June 30, 2022. She did not appear at the hearing, but entered a plea of not guilty. The pair were due to go on trial last November; however, it did not go ahead. The case against Kelbie has been dropped completely, while Eardley is due to go on trial at a rescheduled date of October 27th 2025. Robert Kelbie, who was recently snapped backstage at an Oasis gig with singer Noel Gallagher, is a boxing promoter who previously worked for Daniel Kinahan's now-defunct company MTK. The Scotsman, who previously admitted mortgage fraud in 2012, is well-known to Scottish police and has survived three assassination attempts. In July 2023, Tyson Fury was spotted out and about with Kelbie on a whistlestop trip to Edinburgh, where they popped into a plush cocktail bar while the fighter posed for pictures with tour bus staff. Fury and Kelbie (far right) Fraudster, Kelbie, who has links to the Lyons crime clan, became pals with Tyson, who has no links to criminality, after allegedly landing a job working with him three years ago. He's posted numerous snaps on social media alongside stars such as Mike Tyson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Alex Ferguson and Ronnie O'Sullivan. Kelbie claimed to have served as director of talent for MTK Global, the boxing promotions firm linked to mobster Kinahan, and was a key player in setting up a now-defunct MTK gym in Fuerteventura. MTK Global was put out of business after US cops put a $5 million bounty on founder Kinahan's head in 2022. The previous year Kelbie was with Fury when he kicked out at a taxi in an incident caught on camera while they were on holiday in the south of France. Kelbie was seen leaning through the passenger's side window while Fury tried to open the door before it takes off without them. He later uploaded pictures to his Instagram in the resort town that included footage of the boxer and his dad with pints of Stella at a roadside bar. Kelbie, who has reinvented himself as a boxing promoter, is a sworn enemy of jailed cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson (38) whose associates include members of Glasgow's Daniel Clan, MailOnline reports. Robert Kelbie News in 90 Seconds - July 23rd Gangsters working for Richardson are believed to have ripped off Dubai-based Ross 'Miami' McGill with £500,000 of fake cash for a cocaine shipment. The Daniel Clan's deadly rivals, the Lyons gang have reportedly been giving McGill, a former Rangers football ultras 'capo', information on the Edinburgh-based gangsters as he conducted his campaign of revenge. He is alleged to have ordered knife attacks, shootings and firebombing that sparked a tit-for-tat gangland clash. Back in 2010, Kelbie was shot in the back outside a Bannatyne's Health Club in Edinburgh. In 2013, a hail of bullets was fired at the hood's home at Ratho Station, Edinburgh which he fled 2016.
