Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle opens up on character’s background

Karen Pirie teaser trailer

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Outlander star Lauren Lyle has gone from period drama to modern-day detective for her latest role in ITV’s Karen Pirie. Lauren portrays detective constable Karen Pirie who is tasked with reopening a cold case about a Scottish barmaid who was brutally murdered 25 years ago. Ahead of the gripping series being released, Lauren gave an insight into her character’s roots. 

Karen Pirie is an ITV adaptation of Val McDermid’s bestselling novel about a determined female detective assigned to work out who killed Rosie Duff. 

Karen is asked to lead the investigation which was brought to the surface by a podcaster who wants justice for murdered barmaid Rosie. 

Rosie’s lifeless body was discovered in a churchyard by three students who have grown up to become a university lecturer, an artist and a surgeon. 

Lauren’s no-nonsense character is desperate to crack the complicated case but she is burdened by a dark personal secret along the way. 

The Scottish actress recently opened up to Express.co.uk and other media about why her character comes across as “kind of angry”. 

Lauren explained: “First of all, she is she’s just a really underestimated determined young woman that is completely thrust upon something that she doesn’t expect. 

“And she knows she can do it but has no backing around her.”

The force Karen is working with is predominantly male and she is left feeling deflated when she discovers she was assigned to lead the cold case as an inspector thought it would “look good” for a woman to spearhead it. 

To make matters harder for Karen, she has to work with the office funnyman Jason Murray, also known as Mint, (played by Chris Jenks) who appears to be more of a hindrance than a help at first. 

Lauren said: “It’s quite interesting to play someone who has no support around [her] but knows deep down that she’s the one that can do it.”

“She’s kind of instinctive – she is kind of angry and instinctive,” Lauren said of Karen’s personality. 

“I think it really annoys the men she’s naturally good at her job – she’s just a really good detective because she is driven by what’s right. 

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“And I think annoys a lot of the guys because they’re all for the men.” 

Reflecting on Karen’s professional relationship with Mint, the actress said the two characters are like aliens to one another. 

She wears casual clothes and a signature bum bag at all times whereas Mint wheres expensive suits to try and look the part. 

Lauren quipped: “I mean, she’s really odd and just marches around the office.” 

While Lauren said Karen doesn’t think before she speaks, the actress described the character as smart and determined. 

“I think a lot of the detectives on-screen are quite often like down and out guys or girls, women who have something else really difficult going on,” she added. 

“But [Karen] is a young person right at the beginning of a career ready to take on anything and is sort of like f**k everyone that will see otherwise.” 

Karen Pirie continues on Sunday at 8pm on ITV for a two-hour instalment. 

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