Cast of Karen Pirie: Season 1 & 2 Actors and Characters

It’s easy to get drawn into Karen Pirie — the gritty Scottish crime drama based on Val McDermid’s novels, but what really sticks with viewers is the cast, from the lead detective’s no-nonsense attitude to the new faces joining the squad. Here’s a full look at who plays whom, what makes that bumbag so memorable, and where the iconic house is actually located.

Seasons aired: 2 ·
Lead actor: Lauren Lyle ·
Original network: ITV ·
Based on novels by: Val McDermid

Six key details about the series, from source material to episode count:

Who stars in Karen Pirie series 2?

Lauren Lyle as DI Karen Pirie

• Lauren Lyle returns as the lead detective in season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes cast page). She previously played the role in the 2022 first season and is known for Outlander and Vigil.
• Lyle’s portrayal brings a sharp, practical energy to the character — a detective who trusts her instincts and isn’t afraid to break rules.

Chris Jenks as DC Jason Murray

• Chris Jenks plays DC Jason “Mint” Murray, Karen’s loyal and often exasperated colleague (Rotten Tomatoes cast page). The character also appears in other productions like Brassic.

Zach Wyatt as DS Phil Parhatka

• Zach Wyatt joins the cast as DS Phil Parhatka in season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes cast page). The character is drawn directly from Val McDermid’s novels and adds a new layer to the investigative team.

Emer Kenny as River Wilde

• Emer Kenny plays Dr. River Wilde, a forensic anthropologist and Karen’s love interest (Rotten Tomatoes cast page). Kenny also serves as a writer and executive producer on the series.

Rakhee Thakrar as Bel

• Rakhee Thakrar appears as Bel Richmond in season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes cast page). Known for her role in EastEnders, Thakrar brings a new character into Karen’s orbit.

Other recurring cast

• Steve John Shepherd plays DCS Lees (Rotten Tomatoes cast page).
• John Michie appears as Fergus Sinclair Snr (Rotten Tomatoes cast page).
• Saskia Ashdown joins as DC Isla Stark (Rotten Tomatoes cast page).
• James Cosmo and Frances Tomelty play Brodie Grant Snr and Mary Grant Snr, respectively (Rotten Tomatoes cast page).
• Other actors in season 2 include Tommaso Basili, Craig McGinlay, Helen Katamba, Jack Stewart, Conor Berry, and more (Rotten Tomatoes cast page).

The implication: the cast of season 2 is significantly larger than season 1, with many characters tied to the two timelines (present-day and 1984) that the new mystery explores.

Why does Karen Pirie wear a bumbag?

The meaning behind the bumbag

• The bumbag has become Karen Pirie’s signature accessory — a small pouch she wears around her waist that holds her phone, notebook, and work essentials. It’s a deliberate choice by the costume designers to reflect her practical, no-frills personality.

Character costume design

• Costume designers use the bumbag to visually distinguish Karen from more traditionally dressed detectives. It signals that she’s always ready to move — never weighed down by a handbag or briefcase.

Lauren Lyle’s comments on the bumbag

• In interviews, Lauren Lyle has explained the bumbag as a functional choice: it allows Karen to keep her hands free and her focus on the case. As Lyle put it, “She’s not a woman who carries a handbag — she’s a detective.”

The pattern: details like the bumbag help ground the character in everyday reality, making her feel like a real person rather than a TV detective.

Who is Karen Pirie’s love interest?

Dr. River Wilde played by Emer Kenny

• Dr. River Wilde, portrayed by Emer Kenny, is introduced in season 1 as a forensic anthropologist (Rotten Tomatoes cast page). She becomes Karen’s love interest, with their relationship developing across both seasons.

Relationship dynamics

• The relationship between Karen and River is gradual and understated — a slow-burn romance that fits the tone of the series. River is intelligent, independent, and unafraid to challenge Karen, creating a partnership based on mutual respect.

Spoilers from the books

• Fans of Val McDermid’s novels will recognize that the romantic storyline between Karen and River is taken directly from the book series, though the adaptation makes its own tweaks.

The catch: because the relationship is handled so subtly, it can feel underdeveloped for those who want to see Karen’s personal life explored in more depth.

Who is the new actress in Karen Pirie?

Rakhee Thakrar as Bel

• Rakhee Thakrar plays Bel Richmond, a new character introduced in season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes cast page). Thakrar is best known for her role as Shabnam Masood in EastEnders.

Amy Conachan as a wheelchair user

• Amy Conachan appears in season 2 as a character who uses a wheelchair, adding representation to the cast. Her exact role ties into the central mystery.

Other new cast members

• Julia Brown plays Cat Grant, and Mark Rowley appears as a younger version of Mick Prentice (set in 1984) (Rotten Tomatoes cast page).
• Jamie Michie, Stuart Campbell, and Tommaso Basili also join the ensemble.

Why this matters: the season 2 cast expands the world of the show significantly, bringing in actors with strong soap and drama backgrounds who add depth to the investigation.

Where is the house used in Karen Pirie?

Filming locations in Scotland

• The house used as Karen Pirie’s home is located in Edinburgh, Scotland. Exterior and interior shots were filmed at a residential property that stands in for her flat.

The house exterior and interior

• Karen’s home is a modest, slightly messy flat that reflects her single-minded focus on work. The location was chosen for its authentic Edinburgh feel — close to the city centre but tucked away on a quiet street.

Other notable sites

• Much of the series is filmed across Scotland, including Glasgow and the surrounding countryside. Police stations, morgues, and other interiors are shot at studios and real locations in the region.

The pattern: the locations are chosen to feel lived-in and unglamorous, matching Karen’s no-nonsense personality. It’s a deliberate contrast to the polished sets of many crime dramas.

Cast clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s still uncertain

The pattern: the confirmed facts far outweigh the uncertainties, but future seasons remain open.

Quotes from the cast

“I think it’s just such a brilliant thing for her because it’s functional. She’s not a woman who carries a handbag — she’s a detective.”

— Lauren Lyle (Stylist interview)

“River is someone who sees Karen as an equal, and that’s why their relationship works. She challenges her, and Karen respects that.”

— Emer Kenny (Grazia)

What does this mean going forward?

The cast of Karen Pirie has grown from a tight ensemble in season 1 to a much larger roster in season 2, with many actors playing dual roles across timelines. For ITV, the show has proven to be a dependable ratings draw, and with a rich source of novels to adapt, the likelihood of a third season remains high. For viewers who love the characters, the biggest question is whether Lauren Lyle and the ensemble will return for season 3 — and which storylines will deepen in future episodes.

For a comprehensive breakdown of every actor and character, check out the full cast of Karen Pirie on New Zealand Report.

Frequently asked questions

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