ITV Renews Karen Pirie for Third Series Based on The Skeleton Road

ITV has renewed Scottish detective drama Karen Pirie for a third series, with Lauren Lyle returning as the lead investigator and World Productions producing the adaptation of Val McDermid's novel The Skeleton Road. The new season will film in 2027 and will feature six one-hour episodes.

According to ITV and World Productions, the third series begins after human remains are discovered hidden in the roof of a derelict building in Edinburgh. Detective Inspector Karen Pirie investigates a victim who fled the Balkans conflict of the 1990s for Scotland and later married a famous author.

The production follows the success of the second series, which averaged 5.3 million viewers and reached a peak of 5.6 million during its ITV and STV broadcast, according to Televisual. The second series was also streamed 11 million times on ITVX and STV Player.

Lauren Lyle will reprise her role as Karen Pirie and will also serve as an executive producer for the new series. The character first appeared on screen in 2022, investigating unresolved Scottish cases including the murder of student barmaid Rosie Duff.

"Playing Karen Pirie has become one of the most delicious thrills of my career and knowing that people of the world want more of her and her bumbag is an absolute honour!" Lyle said.

Lyle said she would take on an expanded role behind the scenes as the series moves forward. The upcoming season will adapt McDermid's third Karen Pirie novel after earlier seasons covered The Distant Echo and A Darker Domain.

"With the added joy of getting to put my Executive Producer hat on for season 3, I can finally, much like Karen, whip all those higher-up's in to shape. In all seriousness, I'm so grateful to be bringing more Karen Pirie to our screens. Season 3 feels even more elevated, with an even wilder story full of thrills, twists, and of course, plenty of eye rolls," Lyle said.

ITV's commissioning team said the new adaptation will continue the partnership between the broadcaster and World Productions. Huw Kennair Jones will oversee production for ITV.

"We're thrilled to be returning to Karen Pirie and Lauren Lyle's award-winning performance in what promises to be another brilliant series. Based on Val McDermid's bestselling book, Gillian has woven a compelling story that will delight Karen's many fans. With the fantastic team at World Productions producing, the ITV and ITVX audience are in for a gripping drama," Huw Kennair Jones said.

World Productions CEO Simon Heath will executive produce alongside McDermid, Lyle and lead writer Gillian Roger Park. The series has previously received recognition at BAFTA Scotland, RTS Scotland and the Celtic Media Festival.

"We're very grateful to ITV for giving us the opportunity to bring back to the screen Val's iconic and much-loved detective, so brilliantly realised in Lauren's stellar performance," Simon Heath said.

McDermid's third novel is considered a major part of the character's literary story, while Park will lead the television adaptation. The six-part drama will be written by Park with an additional episode from Deli Segal.

"I'm thrilled to hear that plans are so far advanced for Karen Pirie series three. The Skeleton Road is a favourite with many readers, so it'll be particularly exciting to see it adapted. I feel very privileged to have such a talented team bringing my books to a wider audience and I can't wait to see what they make of it," Val McDermid said.

"I'm delighted to be taking the reins on Karen Pirie for series three as she takes on her darkest and most challenging case yet. The incomparable Val McDermid has created a truly distinctive and enduring character in Karen and it's a real honour to follow Emer, whose brilliant adaptation brought Karen's world to the screen over two successful series. As a Scottish writer, I'm especially thrilled to continue showcasing modern Scotland and to write for Lauren, who plays Karen with such wit and fresh energy," Gillian Roger Park said.

The third series does not yet have a premiere date. ITV confirmed the drama will air on ITV and STV and will be available through ITVX and STV Player.