Karen Pirie writer and star reveal new season 2 character is hiding a big secret
Lauren Lyle and Emer Kenny spoke exclusively with Radio Times about new addition Isla Stark, played by Saskia Ashdown.
When Karen Pirie returns to ITV this weekend, she will be taking on a new, high profile cold case, and will be seen assembling a team of those she trusts most, including Chris Jenks's DC Jason Murray and Zach Wyatt's DS Phil Parhatka.
However, she will also find herself working with someone new, as Steve John Shepherd's DI Simon Lees brings a new addition on to her team, in the form of DC Isla Stark, played by Saskia Ashdown.
The new character has an air of mystery about her from the outset and, speaking with Radio Times exclusively, writer and River Wilde star Emer Kenny has said that Isle is introduced by Lees "as sort of a fan" of Karen's.
Kenny was speaking with Radio Times alongside Karen star Lauren Lyle, who chipped in to clarify that "Karen is led to believe that she is a fan".
Kenny then added: "But then she is very deadpan, so Karen's completely perplexed as to why she'd be on this team, and it turns out she's spying on Karen.
"She’s a great addition, because she's got a completely different energy to the other three. She seems like she doesn't really care about the case at all. And then it turns out she gets sucked in by the team by the end."
Lyle went on to say that something that sets Karen Pirie apart from other detective shows is its sense of humour, and the fact that it has "such weird characters and such strange oddballs" among the central team.
"But it is sort of what I think a lot of people experience at work," she explained, "where you wouldn't necessarily hang out with people outside if you didn't have to, but somehow you all bond and become this strange little unit."
Kenny added: "And then you kind of love each other."
Read more:
- Karen Pirie's Lauren Lyle reveals how her character has changed between seasons – and how it mirrors real life
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"And I think she really represents like a friend at work as well," Lyle said. "You're like, we've all got to sort of accept you, and I don’t know what to think. I think Karen’s completely thrown by her constantly, doesn't understand her at all, but she does do what Karen says, which is helpful."
Karen Pirie season 2 is based on Val McDermid's novel A Darker Domain, and sees the team investigating the 1984 case of Catriona and Adam Grant, who were brutally kidnapped at gunpoint.
Executive producer Simon Heath has teased that fans can expect "a lot of twists" - so it seems we're in for an exciting ride.
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Karen Pirie season 2 will air from Sunday 20th July 2025 on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
