ITV has officially renewed Karen Pirie for a third season, with Outlander star Lauren Lyle returning as the sharp-witted Scottish detective. The announcement confirms the future of the acclaimed cold-case crime drama, which will adapt another novel by bestselling author Val McDermid and introduce a new mystery filled with buried secrets, dangerous revelations and revenge.

The upcoming season will be based on The Skeleton Road, the third book in McDermid’s Karen Pirie series. Scottish screenwriter Gillian Roger Park, known for The Young Offenders and The Bombing of Pan Am 103, will adapt the novel into six one-hour episodes. Production is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Lyle will reprise her role as Detective Inspector Karen Pirie, a determined investigator known for her sharp instincts, dry humor and distinctive style. Since the drama debuted in 2022, the character has become a favorite among viewers, with Lyle earning recognition for her performance.

“Playing Karen Pirie has become one of the most delicious thrills of my career,” Lyle said in ITV’s announcement. She also revealed that she will take on an executive producer role for the third season, giving her a greater part in shaping the series behind the scenes.

The new season will open with the discovery of human remains concealed in the roof of a derelict building in Edinburgh. Karen soon discovers that the victim fled the Balkan conflict of the 1990s to find safety in Scotland, where he planned to marry a woman who has since become a famous author.

As the investigation develops, the case attracts intense public attention and exposes secrets that powerful people may prefer to keep hidden. Karen must untangle the connections between the victim’s past, the author’s identity and a growing cycle of revenge. With someone taking justice into their own hands, the detective faces a race to uncover the truth before another life is lost.

The storyline promises to expand the series beyond its previous investigations while retaining the central appeal of Karen’s methodical approach to solving crimes. The mystery also brings together personal histories and wider political tensions, creating a case in which the past continues to shape the present.

Val McDermid, who also serves as an executive producer, expressed her excitement about seeing The Skeleton Road adapted for television. She described the novel as a favorite among readers and praised the team bringing her characters to a wider audience.

The renewal follows a strong performance for Season 2. According to ITV, the second season averaged 5.3 million viewers, reaching a peak of 5.6 million during its broadcast run. It was also streamed 11 million times across ITVX and STV Player, reinforcing the drama’s popularity with audiences.

With a new six-episode format, a fresh creative team and Lyle stepping into an expanded production role, Season 3 marks another major chapter for the detective drama. Although ITV has yet to announce a premiere date, filming is expected to begin next year.

For fans of Karen Pirie, the next case promises another atmospheric mystery in which secrets from the past refuse to stay buried.

Source: Compiled from various sources