Karen Pirie
Created by Emer Kenny, Gareth Bryn
On ITV1
A procedural crime drama that escalates from cold-case review to active murder investigation, balancing investigative puzzle-solving with the moral weight of exhuming old violence.
When a 25-year-old murder in St Andrews becomes the subject of a provocative true-crime podcast, DS Karen Pirie is tasked with heading up a review. Digging up the past, Karen uncovers fresh evidence and a potential perpetrator. But when suspects start coming under attack, the cold case turns into an active investigation. Can Karen find the killer before it’s too late?
Clusters
Where to watch
- StreamBritBox
Questions people ask
Is Karen Pirie one of a kind? No. Less singular than 90% of series.
Is Karen Pirie violent? Yes. More violent than 81% of series.
Is Karen Pirie scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 73% of series.
Is Karen Pirie sad? Somewhat. More sad than 72% of series.
Is Karen Pirie easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 66% of series.
Does Karen Pirie leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 63% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
You have seen this shape before.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Karen Pirie, and what each one shares →
Like Karen Pirie
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Karen Pirie
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Karen Pirie, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Karen Pirie, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Karen Pirie, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
