ITV Karen Pirie season two ending explained as devastating murder case solved
After a lengthy three-year hiatus, the much-anticipated return of Karen Pirie has graced our screens with its second series on ITV. Adapted from Val McDermid's acclaimed Inspector Karen Pirie novels, the drama features Outlander star Lauren Lyle as the eponymous protagonist, portraying a bold and spirited Scottish detective "with a quick mouth and a tenacious desire for the truth".
The latest series, entitled A Darker Domain, sees Pirie embroiled in yet another cold case, peeling back layers of deception to unearth the grim realities shrouded in secrecy and a tangled web of potential motives.
The three-part season exposes the 1984 kidnap of a charming heiress to a vast oil fortune, Catriona Grant, and her two-year-old son Adam. They were brutally taken and held at gunpoint outside a fish and chip shop in Fife, with the ransom notes leading to an uncontrollable press storm.
However, as the kidnappers retreated into silence and the police investigation hit a dead end, the fate of Catriona and Adam remained shrouded in enigma, reports the Mirror.
The discovery of a corpse connected to the original kidnapping, the first shred of evidence in decades, propels Pirie and her squad into what could be the defining case of their careers, all while under the watchful eye of Catriona's father.
"As Karen delves deeper into what happened in the autumn of 1984, political grudges and painful secrets reveal themselves, and it soon becomes clear... the past is far from dead," hints the tantalising synopsis.
Karen Pirie season two ending explained - what happened to Catriona Grant?
In a startling revelation, it turns out that Catriona (portrayed by Julia Brown) was complicit in her own abduction.
Motivated by a desire to retaliate against her father Brodie (played by James Cosmo) upon learning that he had exploited Fergus (John Michie) - Adam's covert biological father - to conceal the fatalities caused by his oil operations, Cat and her boyfriend Mick (Mark Rowley) orchestrated a faux kidnapping.
Her plan was to abscond with her father's wealth and start afresh with Adam, but this scheme was thrown into chaos when Mick's mates Andy and Kevin got entangled in their plot. Mick, sceptical of Kevin, aimed to keep Cat's involvement in the kidnapping under wraps, leading to a heated debate about whether they should disclose the truth to Kevin.
When Kevin eavesdropped on their dispute, he threatened to expose the truth to Brodie, prompting Cat to shoot him in the head, resulting in his death. His body was discovered years later, triggering the commencement of the investigation.
However, his remains weren't the only ones unearthed. Pirie's team stumbled upon Cat's body in a cave, with viewers soon discovering that her mother, Brodie's former wife Mary (Frances Tomelty), was responsible for her death following an emotional confession.
Fergus and Brodie had uncovered Cat's role in orchestrating the entire kidnapping, and arranged a meeting with Mick, Andy and Cat to hand over the money. Unbeknownst to them, Mary had trailed them armed with a gun, intending to frighten off the actual kidnappers, oblivious to the fact that her daughter had been aware of the whole situation all along.
Upon reaching the cave, she fired two shots, accidentally killing Cat and triggering a collapse that left her trapped inside.
Mick, Andy, and Adam managed to get away, while Brodie and Mary concealed the truth for years, clinging to the hope that Cat had somehow survived.
They weren't the only ones to discover the truth however, as Adam, re-named Gabriel after Mick raised him in Italy, learned who he really was and about his biological father and mother.
The case ends with the arrests of Mary and Brodie, and Adam meeting his biological father Fergus, who is also on trial, but choosing to continue living his life with Mick in Malta, as he couldn't be reached by the Scottish authorities there.
"There's no joy in closing a case like this, no joy, no celebration," Karen reflects as the series draws to a close.
"Because my job is about finding answers, and I hope those answers bring peace.
"But sometimes they aren't the answers that anyone wants to hear, people aren't who you expect them to be, victims don't always fit the ideal narrative.
"Money and power can help you re-write history until even you believe it, but [in the end] everyone needs the truth, so I'll keep looking for it."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit comedian with massive YouTube following lands huge deal with Apple to make first standalone TV show
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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 Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Jennifer Lawrence and Louis Theroux. 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. '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, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. 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 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? '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. 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. 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. 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. 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. '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. '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.' 'I was like, 'Yes, Ann. Yes of course.' 'I put it out immediately. 'I felt like a very naughty girl.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Trump visit will ‘undoubtedly stretch' police resources, superintendents warn
Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (Asps), said the visit of the US President would require a 'significant operation across the country over many days' from Police Scotland. His comments come in the wake of similar concerns from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) – the body which represents rank and file officers. A major police operation will be put in place this weekend when the US President makes a private visit to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) However Scottish First Minister John Swinney has insisted policing will not be put in a 'detrimental position' as a result of the visit. Mr Trump is due to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a five-day private visit to his his golf resorts in both Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. During his time in Scotland the President will meet both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Swinney. However, police officers are raising concerns about the impact of the trip, with Mr Hay stating: 'The private visit of President Donald Trump to Scotland at the end of July will require the Police Service of Scotland to plan for and deliver a significant operation across the country over many days. 'This will undoubtedly stretch all our resources from local policing divisions to specialist and support functions such as contact, command and control.' Chief Superintendent Rob Hays said a 'significant' policing operation would be required for the period of the visit (Association of Scottish Police Superintendents/PA) Police superintendents and chief superintendents will have 'key leadership roles' for the visit, he added, saying they would be taking responsibility for areas such as planning and resourcing, intelligence gathering, command and control communications, armed operations, public order, and other specialist functions. Mr Hay urged the public to be aware of the 'significant demands that will be placed on policing services during this period' – adding these result from not only the Presidential visit but the 'many popular events that Scotland hosts in the summer months, which bring thousands of tourists to our country and rely upon partnerships with policing to support their safe delivery'. His comments came as SPF general secretary David Kennedy warned the police response to the visit could impact on the service it provides to the public in Scotland. A major policing operation is being put in place both the visit and any protests that may spring up as a result of it, with Police Scotland seeking officers from other areas of the UK to bolster its numbers. Asked about the visit, Mr Kennedy told BBC Radio Scotland: 'Anyone who says it won't affect it (policing in Scotland), I can't believe that's the case. 'It will affect it. 'You may be waiting in the past for so many hours for a police officer to arrive, that could double now, you may be waiting for more time for them to arrive. 'Obviously, emergency calls will take priority, but it will affect communities in Scotland. 'We've been asking long and weary to have more police officers in our communities in Scotland and all this does is take them away from that at this time.' Asked if the quality of policing will be impacted by the visit, Mr Kennedy added: 'It will be seriously affected, it has to be. 'There's not enough police officers for it not to be affected.' Concerns have also been raised about the cost of the policing operation, with officers likely to cancel rest days to ensure adequate staffing. David Kennedy is the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (Andrew Milligan/PA) But speaking to the PA news agency on Tuesday, Mr Swinney said talks are ongoing between Police Scotland and the Scottish and UK governments on funding, asserting that policing in Scotland will not be put in a 'detrimental position' as a result. Mr Kennedy also reiterated calls from Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond for those seeking to protest to do so peacefully. Ms Bond has already said a 'policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption'. She added: 'The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements. 'Officers make sacrifices every day to keep people safe, and their dedication and professionalism is the reason we manage to deliver significant operations.' Mr Swinney meanwhile told the PA news agency it was important that Mr Trump's visit is 'handled with care'. While the First Minister accepted the need for 'security around the President' has also said there 'has to be the legitimate right for individuals in our country to make their voices heard, to protest'. Mr Swinney stated: 'We are a democratic society and people must be able to protest within the law and the policing operation will be designed to ensure that is the case.' With the President's visit expected to include the opening of a second golf course at the Menie resort in Aberdeenshire, Mr Swinney said: 'I obviously spend a lot of my time as First Minister encouraging investment in our country, so I welcome investment in the facilities that are being taken forward.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
James McAvoy film shot in Glasgow to premiere at festival
The film, which saw the Drumchapel-born actor make his directorial debut, will have a special presentation at the 50th edition of the festival. It is set to take place from September 4 to 14 this year but the exact date of California Schemin's premiere has not been revealed. The full schedule will be released on August 12. READ NEXT: East End deli to open new cafe next week James McAvoy pictured on the set of California Schemin' (Image: Gordon Terris) Announcing the news on Instgram, McAvoy wrote: "A huge thank you to our phenomenal cast, tireless crew, producers, and every single person who poured their talent into this." He spent weeks in Glasgow filming the movie last year. Based on a true story, California Schemin' centres around Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd who are fed up of London record producers not taking Scottish rap seriously and dismissing them as "rapping Proclaimers". Better known as Silibil N' Brains, the duo soon embark on a remarkable journey rapping alongside Eminem, partying backstage with Madonna and being tipped as among the next generation of rising stars. READ NEXT: Fashion and homeware brand closes city centre store James McAvoy filming at The Barras on November 12, 2024 (Image: Gordon Terris)Filming for the movie took place in Glasgow in November last year at locations including the Barras Market, Queen Street train station, Glasgow Green, Park Circus and Maryhill with McAvoy pictured at various locations around the city. A free noughties-themed gig also took at the Barrowlands Ballroom as part of filming. (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)
