The ITV crime drama Karen Pirie has returned for a gripping second series, once again placing detective Karen Pirie (Lauren Lyle) at the centre of a cold case steeped in mystery. This season investigates the chilling abduction of a billionaire heiress and her infant son during the 1980s, a case that spans decades and leads Karen across Scotland — and even beyond its borders — in search of the truth. Viewers are treated to a visually rich backdrop, with filming taking place in striking Scottish locations and in the Maltese capital of Valletta.
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The production remained largely faithful to the setting of Val McDermid’s original novel, A Darker Domain, by shooting key scenes in Fife’s coastal town of Kinghorn, where the kidnapping unfolds. Luss Estate, nestled in the scenic Loch Lomond area, provides the atmospheric hideout where Catriona is held captive. The series cleverly weaves past and present timelines, with both periods making full use of these dramatic landscapes. Meanwhile, Glasgow lends its iconic Barrowland Ballroom and The Citizen bar as key locations, capturing both the gritty urban feel and personal moments of respite for the characters.
While the novel originally sees Karen travel to Tuscany, the TV adaptation opts instead for Malta, specifically Valletta, offering a sun-drenched contrast to the moody Scottish settings. This change doesn’t diminish the storyline’s weight but instead adds a fresh dynamic to Karen’s investigative journey. According to Lyle and creator Emer Kenny, Scotland remains the heart of the series — its ancient, eerie landscape lending itself naturally to the dark, psychological themes of the show.
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Lyle expressed her deep affection for filming in her homeland, describing Scotland’s history of witches, wars and weathered beauty as an essential character in the drama itself. Kenny echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of incorporating a uniquely Celtic humour into the storytelling. The result is a drama that’s both haunting and wry, combining scenic authenticity with emotional depth — and confirming Karen Pirie’s place as one of ITV’s most compelling modern crime series.
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