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?
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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.
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