Where does Karen Pirie take place? Setting of the detective drama explored

ITV's popular British crime drama, Karen Pirie, starring Lauren Lyle, debuted on September 25, 2022.

It is written by Emer Kenny and is based on Val McDermid's novel series, Inspector Karen Pirie. It follows the life of a young detective sergeant, Karen Pirie, and her investigation into cold cases from the Scottish Historic Case Unit that have been unsolved for over a decade.

Since its release, the show has garnered a steady fan base, and it boasts a 7.6 rating on IMDb and a whopping 95% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The synopsis reads,

"After being promoted to Scotland's Historic Cases Unit, DS Karen Pirie reopens the cold case of a murdered barmaid; her investigation unearths flaws in the original 1995 inquiry."

Karen Pirie Season 1 follows DS Karen Pirie's investigation into a twenty-five-year-old case involving the mysterious death of a barmaid, Rosie Duff.

Duff, a teenager then, was found dead in an ancient cemetery in the university town of St. Andrews. Three students were suspected of the murder case, but no arrests were made due to a lack of evidence. It was a clear case of manipulation and a brutal cover-up. But with two suspects dying, the case was reopened. Can DS Karen find out the real culprit? Or will the revenge-filled justice seeker kill the last suspect like the previous ones?

Continue reading to know more.

Where is Karen Pirie set?

Karen Pirie is set in St. Andrews, a historic town in Scotland. After getting a promotion, DS Karen Pierie was transferred to the Scotland Historical Case Unit, and one of the first cases that she worked on was that of Rosie Duff. The newly appointed DS reopened a 25-year-old case involving the brutal murder of a teen, Rosie Duff. Her body was found by four drunk students in an ancient cemetery. She was brutally assaulted and stabbed. No arrests were made due to a lack of evidence.

St. Andrews is indeed a picture-postcard location with an essence of secret hidden mysteries, a perfect backdrop for a crime drama. The small rural coastal town is the heart of several projects, including Chariots of Fire, Never Let Me Go, Tommy's Honour, and now Karen Pirie.

Situated on the east coast of Scotland, it is often called the Home of Golf, with Scotland's oldest university and a booming pub culture. From the St Andrews Cathedral to the historic castle to marvellous golf courses, the town has a lot to offer.

Apart from Lyle in a leading role, the cast includes Emer Kenny, Chris Jenks, Zack Wyatt, Ariyon Bakare, Anna Russell-Martin, Jack Hesketh, Michael Schaeffer, and Buom Tihngang.

Like many British crime thrillers, Karen Pirie was mostly shot in Scotland. The landscape, urban setting, and dark aesthetic of Scotland aid to the essence of crime dramas.

British crime dramas have garnered global attention over the years. From fresh releases like Adolescence and Dept Q, to classic ones like Broadchurch and Vera, British crime dramas have not just been applauded for their intense storyline but also for the gritty atmosphere they create. The weather and location in the British crime drama often aid the narrative and set the tone for the story. The cloudy, often rainy, grey settings add to the eeriness of the plot, setting a somber mood.

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Also Read: Karen Pirie Season 2 cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the new chapter of the British drama?

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